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THE LION OF ST. MARK 


^totiir o)[ fijnkc in the fourteenth (ll|i;nturig 




y 


By GT a. HENTY, 


Author of “ With Clive in India” “ Under Drake's Flag," “ In Freedorn'i 
Cause" “ The Young Carthaginian” “ For the Temple" “ Facing 
Death" “ By Sheer Pluck,” “ Donnie Prince Charlie,” Etc. 


WITH TEN PAGE ILLUSTRA TIONit 
BY GORDON BROWNE. 


CHICAGO: 

M. A. DONOHUE & CO. 

407-429 Dearborn St. 

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CONTENTS 


CHAPTER I. PAGB 

Venice 7 

CHAPTER II. 

A Conspiracy 22 

CHAPTER III. 

On the Grand Canal 40 

CHAPTER IV. 

Carried Off 68 

CHAPTER Y. 

Finding a Clue 77 

CHAPTER VI. 

The Hut on San Nicolo 95 

CHAPTER VII. 

On Board a Trader 114 

CHAPTER VIII. 

An Attack by Pirates 133 

CHAPTER IX. 

The Capture of the Lido 151 

CHAPTER X. 

Recaptured 170 


CONTENTS, 


CHAPTER XI. PAGE 

The Battle of Antium 189 

CHAPTER XII. 

Ill Mocenigo’s Power 209 

CHAPTER XIII. 

The Pirates’ Raid 227 

CHAPTER XIV. 

The End of the Persecutor 244 

CHAPTER XV. 

The Battle of Pola 262 

CHAPTER XVL 

Tlie Recapture of the Pluto 280 

CHAPTER XVII. 

An Ungrateful Republic 298 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

The Release of Pisani 314 

CHAPTER XIX. 

The Siege of Chioggia ’ 332 

CHAPTER XX. 

The Triumph of Venice 350 


PEEFACE. 


My Dear Lads : Of all the chapters of history there 
are few more interesting or wonderful than that which 
tells the story of the rise and progress of Venice. Built 
upon a few sandy islands in a shallow lagoon, and originally 
founded by fugitives from the mainland, Venice became 
one of the greatest and most respected powers of Europe. 
She was mistress of the sea ; conquered and ruled over a 
considerable territory bordering on the Adriatic ; checked 
the rising power of the Turks ; conquered Constantinople ; 
successfully defied all the attacks of her jealous rivals to 
shake her power ; and carried on a trade relatively as great 
as that of England in the present day. I have laid my 
story in the time not of the triumphs of Venice, but of 
her hardest struggle for existence — when slie defended 
herself successfully against the coalition of Hungary, 
Padua, and Genoa — for never at any time were the virtues 
of Venice, her steadfastness, her patriotism, and her will- 
ingness to make all sacrifice for her independence more 
brilliantly shown. The historical portion of the story is 
drawn from HazlitPs History of the Republic of Venice, 
and with it I have woven the adventures of an English boy 
endowed with a full share of that energy and pluck which, 
more than any other qualities, have made the British empire 
the greatest the world ever saw. 

Yours sincerely, 

G. A. Henty. 

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I’JIE LION or ST. MAEK. 


CHAPTER 1. 

VEKICE. 

I SUPPOSE you never have such nights as these in that 
misty island of yours, Francisco ? 

Yes, we have,^^ the other said stoutly. I have seen 
just as bright nights on the Thames. I have stood down 
by PauTs Stairs and watched the reflection of the moon on 
the water, and the lights of the houses on the bridge, and 
the passing boats, just as we are doing now. But,^^ he 
added honestly, must confess that we do not have such 
still bright nights very often, while with you they are the 
rule, though sometimes even here a mist rises up and dims 
the water just as it does with us.^^ 

‘‘ But I have heard you say that the stars are not so 
bright as we have them here.” 

No, I do not think they are, Matteo. I do not remem- 
ber now, but I do know when I first came here I was struck 
with the brightness of the stars, so I suppose there must 
have been a difference.” 

But you like this better than England ? You are 
glad that your father came out here ?” 

Francis Hammond did not answer at once. 

am glad he came out,” he said after a pause, “be- 
cause I have seen many things I should never 'have seen if 


8 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


I had stayed at home, and I have learned to speak your 
tongue. But I do not know that I like it better than home. 
Things are different, you see. There was more fun at 
home. My father had two or three apprentices, whom I 
used to play with when the shop was closed, and there 
were often what you would call tumults, but which were 
not serious. Sometimes there would be a fight between the 
apprentices of one ward and another, a shout would be 
raised of ^ Clubs ! ^ and all the ^prentices would catch up 
their sticks and pour out of the sliops, and then there would 
he a fight till the city guard turned out and separated them. 
Then there used to be tlie shooting at the butts, and the 
shows, and the Mayday revels, and all sorts of things. The 
people were more merry than you are here, and much 
more free. You see, the barons, who are the same to us 
that your great families are to you, had no influence in the 
city. You are a nation of traders, and so are we ; but in 
London the traders have the power, and are absolute 
masters inside their own walls, caring nothing for the 
barons, and not much for the king. If any one did wrong 
he got an open and fair trial. There was no fear of secret 
accusations. Every one thought and said as he pleased. 
There was no LioiTs Moutli, and no Council of Ten.'’^ 

Hush ! hush ! Francisco,^'’ the other said, grasping 
his arm. Do not say a word against the council. There 
is no saying who may be listening.” And he looked 
nervously round to see if any one was within earshot. 

There it is, you see,” his companion said. So long 
as we have a safe conscience in London we are frightened 
at nothing, whereas here no one can say with certainty 
that he may not before to-morrow morning be lying in the 
dungeons of St. Mark without the slightest idea in the 
world as to what his crime has been.” 

There, there, Francisco,” Matteo said uneasily ; do 
talk about other things. Your notions may do very well 
in England, but are not safe to discuss here. Of course 


THE LION OF ST. MABK. 


9 


there are plenty here who would gladly see a change in 
some matters, but one cannot have everything ; and, after 
all, when one has so much to be proud of, one need not 
grumble because everything is not just as one would like/^ 
Yes, you have much to be proud of,''"’ Francis Ham- 
mond agreed. It is marvelous that the people of these 
scattered islets should be masters of the sea, that their al- 
liance should be coveted by every power in Europe, that 
they should be the greatest trading community in the 
world. If I were not English I should like to be Venetian. 

The speakers were standing at the edge of the water in 
front of the Palace of St. Mark. In the piazza behind 
them a throng of people were walking to and fro, gossip- 
ing over the latest news from Constantinople, the last 
rumor as to the doings of the hated rival of Venice, Genoa, 
or the purport of the letter which had, as every one knew, 
been brought by the Bishop of Treviso from the pope to 
the seignory. 

Tlie moon was shining brightly overhead, and glittering 
in the waters of the lagoon, which were broken into innu- 
merable little wavelets by the continual crossing and re- 
crossing of the gondolas dotting its surface. There was a 
constant arrival and departure of boats from the steps, 
fifty yards to the right of the spot where the speakers were 
standing ; but where they had stationed themselves, about 
halfway between the landing-steps and the canal running 
down by the side «f the ducal palace, there were but few 
people about. 

Francis Hammond was a lad between fifteen and sixteen 
years old. Ilis father was a merchant of London. He 
was a man of great enterprise and energy, and had four 
years before determined to leave his junior partner in 
charge of the business in London, and to come out himself 
for a time to Venice so as to buy the Eastern stuffs in 
which he dealt at the headquarters of the trade instead of 
paying such prices as the agents of the Venetian traders 


10 


TUE LION OF ST. MARK. 


might demand in London. He had succeeded beyond his 
expectations. In Venice there were constantly bargains 
to be purchased from ships returning laden with the spoils 
of some captured Genoese merchantman or taken in the 
sack of some Eastern seaport. The prices too asked by the 
traders with the towns of Syria or the Black Sea were but 
a fraction of those charged when these goods arrived in 
London. 

It was true that occasionally some of his cargoes were 
lost on the homeward voyage, captured either by the 
Genoese or the Moorish pirates ; but even allowing for this, 
the profits of the trade were excellent. The English mer- 
chant occupied a good position in Venice. The prompt- 
ness of his payments and the integrity of his dealings 
made him generally respected, and the fact that he was 
engaged in trade was no drawback to his social position in 
a city in which, of all others, trade was considered honor- 
able, and where members of even the- most aristocratic 
families were, with scarcely an exception, engaged in com- 
merce. 

There were many foreign merchants settled in Venice, 
for from the first the republic had encouraged strangers 
to take up their residence there, and had granted them 
several privileges and advantages. Between Venice and 
England there had always been good feeling. Although 
jealous of foreigners England had granted the Venetians 
liberty to trade in London, Southampton, and some other 
towns as far back as the year 1304, and their relations had 
always been cordial, as there were no grounds for jealousy 
or rivalry between the two peoples ; whereas the interfer- 
ence of France, Germany, Austria, and Hungary in the 
affairs of Italy had frequently caused uneasiness to Venice, 
and had on several occasions embroiled her with one or 
other of the three last-named powers. 

France had as yet taken a very minor part in the con- 
tinual wars which were waged between the rival cities of 


THE LION OF ST. MABK. 


11 


Italy, and during the Crusades there had been a close al- 
liance between her and Venice, the troops of the two 
nations fighting together at the siege of Constantinople, 
and causing the temporary overthrow of the Greek Empire 
of the East. 

The rise of Venice had been rapid, and she owed her 
advancement to a combination of circumstances. In the 
first place, her insular position rendered her almost im- 
pervious to attack, and she had therefore no occasion to 
keep on foot any army, and was able to throw all her 
strength on to the sea, where Genoa was her only formid- 
able rival. 

In the second place, her mercantile spirit and her ex- 
tensive trade with the East brought in a steady infiux of 
wealth, and her gold enabled her to purchase allies, to 
maintain lengthy struggles without faltering, and to emerge 
unscathed from wars which exhausted the resources and 
crippled the powers of her rivals. The third source of her 
success lay in the spirit of her population. Like Eome in 
her early days, she was never cast down by reverses. Mis- 
fortune only nerved her to further exertions, and after 
each defeat she rose stronger than before. But the cause 
which more than all contributed to give to Venice her as- 
cendency among the cities of Italy was her form of govern- 
ment. 

Democratic at first, as among all communities, it had 
gradually assumed the character of a close oligarchy, and 
although nominally ruled by a council containing a large 
number of members, her destinies were actually in the 
hands of the Doge elected for life, and the Council of Ten, 
chosen from the great body of the council. Thus she had 
from the first been free from those factions which were the 
bane of Genoa and Florence. Some of the great families 
had from time to time come more prominently to the front 
than others, but none had attained predominant political 
power, and beyond a few street tumults of slight impor- 


12 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


tance Venice had not suffered from the popular tumults and 
uprisings which played so prominent a part in the history 
of her rivals. 

Thus, undisturbed by discord at home, Venice had been 
able to give all her attention and all her care to her in- 
terests abroad, and her affairs, conducted as they were by 
her wisest citizens, with a single eye to the benefit of the 
A state, had been distinguished by a rare sagacity. Her 
object had been single and uniform, to protect her own in- 
terests and to prevent any one city on the mainland attain- 
ing such a preponderance as would render her a dangerous 
neighbor. Hence she was always ready to ally herself 
with the weaker against the stronger, and to aid with 
money and men any state struggling against an ambitious 
neighbor. 

Acting on this principle she by turns assisted Padua 
against Verona and Verona against Padua, or either of 
them when threatened by the growing power of Milan, and 
at the end of a war she generally came out with an in- 
creased territory and added importance. It is probable 
that no community was ever governed for hundreds of 
years with such uniform wisdom and sagacity as was 
Venice ; but the advantage was not without drawbacks. 
The vigilance of the Council of Ten in repressing plots, 
not unfrequently set on foot by the enemies of the republic, 
resulted in the adoption of a hateful system of espionage. 
The city was pervaded with spies, and even secret denun- 
ciations were attended to, and the slightest expression of 
discontent against the ruling authorities was severely 
/ punished. 

On the other hand comparatively slight attention was 
paid to private crime. Assassinations were of frequent 
occurrence, and unless the victim happened to be very 
powerfully connected no notice was taken when a man was 
found to be missing from his usual place, and his corpse 
was discovered floating in the lagoon. Consequently 


THE LION OF ST. MABK. 


13 


crimes of this kind were in the great majority of cases 
committed with impunity, and even when traced, the 
authors, if possessed of powerful protectors, seldom suf- 
fered any greater punishment than temporary banishment. 

After standing for some time on the Piazzetta the two 
lads turned, and entering the square of St. Mark mingled 
with the crowd. It was a motley one. Nobles in silks 
and satins jostled with fishermen of the lagoons. Natives 
of all the coasts and islands which owned the sway of 
Venice, Greeks from Constantinople, Tartar merchants 
from the Crimea, Tyrians, and inhabitants of the islands 
of the ^gean, were present in considerable numbers ; 
while among the crowd, venders of fruit and flowers from 
the mainland, and of fresh water or cooling drinks, sold 
their wares. The English lad^s companion — Matteo Gius- 
tiniani — belonged to one of the leading families of Venice, 
and was able to name to Francis most of the nobles and 
persons of importance whom they passed. 

There is Pisani,” he said ; of course you know him ; 
what a jolly, good-tempered looking fellow he is ! The 
sailors would do anything for him, and they say he 
will have command of the next fleet that puts to sea. I 
wish I was going with him, there is sure to be a fierce 
fight when he comes across the Genoese ; his father was 
one of our greatest admirals. That noble just behind him 
is Fiofio Dandolo : what a grand family they have been, 
what a number of great men they have given to the repub- 
lic ! I should like to have seen the grand old Doge who 
stormed the walls of Constantinople, and divided the 
Eastern empire among the crusading barons. He was a 
hero indeed. No ; I donT know who that young noble in 
the green velvet cap and plum-colored dress is. Oh, yes, 
I do, though ; it is Euggiero Mocenigo ; he has been away 
for the last two years at Constantinople ; he was banished 
for having killed Polo Morosini — he declared it was in fair 
fight, but no one believed him. They had quarreled a few 


14 


THE LION OF ST. HARK. 


days before over some question of tlie precedence of tlieir 
families, and Morosini was found dead at the top of the 
steps close to the church of St. Paolo. Some people heard 
a cry and ran up just as Mocenigo leaped into his gondola, 
but as it rowed off their shouts called the attention of one 
of the city guard boats which happened to be passing, and 
it was stopped. As his sword was still wot with blood he 
could not deny that he was the author of the deed, but, as 
I said, he declared it was in fair fight. The Morosinis as- 
serted that Polo’s sword was undrawn, but the Mocenigo 
family brought forward a man who swore that he was one 
of the first to arrive and pick up the sword and place it in 
its scabbard to prevent its being lost. No doubt he lied ; 
but as Mocenigo’s influence in the council was greater than 
that of the Morosini, the story was accepted ; however, 
the public feeling was so strong that they could not do less 
than sentence Ruggiero to two years^ banishment. I sup- 
pose that has just expired, and he has returned from Con- 
stantinople ; he had a bad reputation before this affair 
took place, but as his connections are so powerful I sup- 
pose he will be received as if nothing had happened. 
There are plenty of others as bad as he is.-’^ 

IPs a scandalous thing," Francis Hammond said in- 
dignantly, ^^that, just because they have got powerful 
connections, men should be allowed to do, almost with im- 
punity, things for which an ordinary man would be hung ; 
there ought to be one law for the rich as well as the 
poor." 

So there is as far as the state is concerned," his com- 
panion replied ; a noble who plots against the state is as 
certain of a place in the lowest dungeons as a fisherman 
who has done the same ; but in other respects there is 
naturally some difference." 

Why naturally ? " Francis retorted. You belong to 
a powerful family, Giustiniani, and my father is only a 
trader, but I donT see that naturally you have any more 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


15 


riglit to get me stabbed in the back than I have to get you 
put out of the way/^ 

Naturally perhaps not,” Matteo laughed; ^^but you 
see it has become a second nature to us here in Venice. 
But seriously I admit that the present state of things has 
grown to be a scandal, and that the doings of some of our 
class ought to be put down with a strong hand.” 

^^Well, I shall say good-night now,” the English boy 
said ; my father doesn't like my being out after ten ; he 
keeps up his English habit of shutting up early, and has 
not learned to turn night into day as you do here in 
Venice.” 

The bell has just tolled the hour, Francis,” his father 
said as he entered. 

I didn't think it was quite so late, father ; the Piazza 
is crowded. I really do not think there is one person in 
Venice who goes to bed so early as we do. It is so pleasant 
in the moonlight after the heat of the day.” 

That is true enough, Francis, but men are meant to 
sleep at night and to work in the day. I think our 
fathers carried this too far when they rang the curfew at 
eight ; but ten is quite late enough for any honest man to 
be about in the streets, and the hours of the early morn- 
ing are just as pleasant and far more healthy than those of 
the evening, especially in a place like this, where the mists 
rise from the water, to say nothing of the chance of meet- 
ing a band of wild gallants on their way homeward heated 
with wine, or of getting a stab in the back from some mid- 
night assassin. However, I do not blame Venice for en- 
joying herself while she can ; she will have more serious 
matters to attend to soon.” 

But she is at peace with every one at present, father. 
I thought when she signed the treaty with Austria after a 
year's fighting, she was going to have rest for a time.” 

That was only the beginning of the trouble, Francis, 
and the council knew it well ; that was why they made such 


16 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


terms with Austria as they did. They knew that Austria 
was only acting in accord with Hungary, and Padua, and 
Genoa ; the others were not ready to begin, so Austria 
came on her own account to get what booty and plunder 
she could ; but the storm is gathering and will burst before 
long. But do not let us stand talking here any longer, it 
is high time for you to be in bed.^^ 

But though Francis retired to his room it was more than 
an hour before he got into bed. His window looked down 
upon one of the canals running into the Grand Canal. 
Gondolas lighted by lanterns, or by torches held by servi- 
tors, passed constantly backward and forward beneath his 
window, and by leaning out he could see the passing lights 
of those on the Grand Canal. Snatches of song and 
laughter came up to him, and sometimes the note of a 
musical instrument. The air was soft and balmy, and he 
felt no inclination for sleep. 

Francis thought over what his father had said of the 
probability of war as he sat at his window, and wished that 
he were a couple of years older and could take part in the 
struggle. The Venetian fleet had performed such marvels 
of valor, that in the days when military service was almost 
the sole avenue to distinction and fortune, the desire to 
take part in a naval expedition which promised unusual 
opportunities of gaining credit and renown was the most 
natural thing possible for a boy of spirit. 

Francis was a well-built lad of nearly sixteen ; he had, 
until he left London when about twelve years old, taken 
his full share in the rough sports which formed so good a 
training for the youths of England, and in which the citi- 
zens of London were in no- way behind the rest of the 
kingdom. He had practiced shooting with a light bow 
and arrows in company with boys of his own age in the 
flelds outside the city walls ; had engaged in many a rough 
tussle with light clubs and quarter-stafls ; and his whole 
time — except for an hour or two daily which he had, as the 


THE LION OF ST. MABK. 

son of a well-to-do citizen, spent in learning to read and 
write — had been occupied in games and exercises of one 
kind or other. 

Since his arrival in Venice he had not altogether dis- 
continued his forQier habits. At his earnest solicitation 
his father had permitted him to attend the School of 
Arms, where the sons of patricians and well-to-do mer- 
chants learned the use of sword and dagger, to hurl 
the javelin, and wield the mace and battle-ax ; and was, 
besides, a frequenter of some of the schools where old 
soldiers gave private lessons in arms to such as could afford 
it ; and the skill and strength of the English lad ex- 
cited no slight envy among the young Venetian nobles. 
Often, too, he would go out to one of the sandy islets, and 
there setting up a mark, practice with the bow ; his mus- 
cles, too, had gained strength and hardness by rowing. 

It was his constant habit of an evening, when well 
away from the crowded canals in the gondola, with 
Giuseppi, the son and assistant of his father^s gondolier, 
to take an oar, for he had thoroughly mastered the diffi- 
cult accomplishment of rowing well in a gondola ; but he 
only did this when far out from the city, or when the 
darkness of evening would prevent his figure from being 
recognized by any of his acquaintances, for no Venetian of 
good family would demean himself by handling an oar. 
Francis, however, accustomed to row upon the Thames, 
could see no reason why he should not do the same in a 
gondola, and in time he and his companion could send the 
boat dancing over the water at a rate which enabled them 
to overtake and distance most pair-oared boats. 

After breakfast next morning he went down to the steps 
where Beppo and Giuseppi, in their black cloth suits with 
red sashes round their waists, were waiting with the gon- 
dola in which Mr. Hammond was going out to Malamocco 
to examine a cargo which had the day before arrived from 
Azoph. Giuseppi jumped ashore. 

2 


18 


THE LION OF 8T, MARK. 


I have heard of just the gondola to suit you, Messer 
Francisco, and you can get her at a bargain/^ 

What is she like, Griuseppi 

She belongs to a man out at Lido. She was built for 
the race two years ago, but her owner fell sick and was 
unable to start ; he has not got strong again, and wants to 
sell his boat, which is far too light for ordinary work ; 
they say she is almost like an eggshell, and you and I will 
be able to send her along grandly. She cost four ducats, 
but he will sell her for two.” 

That is capital, Giuseppi ; this gondola is all well 
enough for my father, but she is very heavy. This even- 
ing we will row over to Lido and look at her.” 

A few minutes later Mr. Hammond came down, Beppo 
and his son took off their jackets, and in their snow-white 
shirts and black trousers, set off by the red scarf and a red 
ribbon round their broad hats, took their places in the 
bow and stern. Mr. Hammond sat down on the cushions 
in the middle of the boat, and with an easy noiseless 
motion the gondola glided away from the stairs. Francis, 
with a little sigh, turned away and strolled off for a couple 
of hours’ work with the preceptor with whom he had con- 
tinued his studies since he came to Venice. 

This work consisted chiefly of learning various languages, 
for in those days there was little else to learn. Latin was 
almost universally spoken by educated men in southern 
Europe, and Greeks, Italians, Spaniards, and Frenchmen 
were able to converse in this common medium. French, 
Francis understood, for it was the language in use in the 
court and among the upper classes in England. Italian 
he picked up naturally during his residence, and spoke it 
with the facility of a native. He could now converse 
freely in Latin, and had some knowledge of German. At 
the same school were many lads of good Venetian families, 
and it was here that he had flrst made the acquaintance of 
Matteo Giustiniani, who was now his most intimate friend. 


TEE LION OF 8T, MASK. 


19 


Matteo, like all the young nobles of Venice, was anxious 
to excel in military exercises, but he had none of the ardor 
for really hard work which distinguished his friend. He 
admired the latter^s strength and activity, but could not 
bring himself to imitate him in the exercises by which 
that strength was attained, and had often remonstrated 
with him upon his fondness for rowing. 

''It is not seemly, Francisco, for a gentleman to be 
laboring like a common gondolier ; these men are paid for 
doing it ; but what pleasure there can be in standing up 
working that oar till you are drenched with perspiration 
I cannot understand. I don^t mind getting hot in the 
School of Arms, because one cannot learn to use the sword 
and dagger without it, but that^s quite another thing from 
tugging at an oar." 

" But I like it, Matteo ; and see how strong it has made 
my muscles, not of the arm only, but the leg and back. 
You often say you envy me my strength, but you might 
be just as strong if you chose to work as I do ; besides it is 
delightful, when you are accustomed to it, to feel the gon- 
dola flying away under your stroke." 

"I prefer feeling it fly away under some one else^s 
stroke, Francisco. That is pleasant enough, I grant ; but 
the very thought of working as you do throws me into a 
perspiration. I should like to be as strong as you are, 
but to work as a gondolier is too high a price to pay 
for it." 

That evening Francis crossed the lagoon in the gondola 
with Giuseppi to inspect the boat he had heard of. It was 
just what he wanted. In appearance it differed in no way 
from an ordinary gondola, but it was a mere shell. The 
timbers and planking were extremely light, and the weight 
of the boat was little more than a third of that of other 
craft. She had been built like a working gondola, instead 
of in the form of those mostly used for racing, because her 
owner had intended, after the race was over, to plank her 


20 


THE LION OF ST, MARK. 


inside and strengthen her for everyday work ; but the race 
had never come off, and the boat lay just as she had come 
from the hands of her builder, except that she had been 
painted black, like other gondolas, to prevent her planks 
from opening. When her owner had determined to part 
with her he had given her a fresh coat of paint, and had 
put her in the water that her seams might close up. 

I don^t like parting with her,^^ the young fisherman to 
whom she belonged said. I tried her once or twice and 
she went like the wind, but I got fever in my bones and I 
am unlikely to race again, and the times are hard, and I 
must part with her." 

Francis and Giuseppi gave her a trial, and were delighted 
with the speed and ease with which she fiew through the 
water. On their return Francis at once paid the price 
asked for her. His father made him a handsome allow- 
ance in order that he might be able to mix without dis- 
comfort with the lads of good family whom he met at his 
preceptors and at the school of arms. But Francis did 
not care for strolling in the Piazza, or sitting for hours 
sipping liquors ; still less did he care for dress or finery ; 
consequently he had always plenty of money to indulge in 
his own special fancies. As soon as the bargain was com- 
pleted Giuseppi took his place in the old gondola, while 
Francis took the oar in his new acquisition, and found to 
his satisfaction that with scarcely an effort he could dart 
ahead of his companion and leave him far behind. By 
nightfall the two gondolas were fastened side by side be- 
hind the gayly-painted posts which, in almost all Venetian 
houses, are driven into the canal close to the steps, and 
behind which the gondolas belonging to the house lie safe 
from injury by passing craft. 

I have bought another gondola, father," Francis said 
the next morning. She is a very light, fast craft, and I 
got her cheap." 

don^t see what you wanted another gondola for. 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


21 


Francis. I do not use mine very much, and you are 
always welcome to take it when I do not want it/^ 

Yes, father, but you often use it in the evening, and 
that is just the time when one wants to go out. You very 
often only take Beppo with you when you do not go on 
business, and I often want a boat that I could take with 
Giuseppi ; besides, your gondola is a very solid one, and i 
like passing people." 

Young people always want to go fast," Mr. Hammond 
said, '^why, I can^t make out. However, Francis, I am 
not sorry that you have got a boat of your own, for it has 
happened several times lately that when in the evening I 
have gone down intending to row round to the Piazetta I 
have found the boat gone, and have had to walk. How I 
shall be able to rely on finding Beppo asleep in the boat at 
the steps. In future, since you have a boat of your own, 
I shall not be so particular as to your being in at ten. I do 
not so much mind your being out on the water, only you 
must promise me that you will not be in the streets after 
that hour. There are frequent broils as the evening gets 
on,not to mention the danger of cut-throats in unfrequented 
lanes ; but if you will promise me that you will never be 
about the streets after half -past nine I will give you leave 
to stay out on the water till a later hour ; but when you 
come in late be careful always to close and bar the door, 
and do not make more noise than you can help in com- 
ing up to your room." 

Francis was much pleased with this concession, for the 
obligation to return at ten o’clock, just when the tempera- 
ture was most delightful and the Grand Canal at its gayest, 
had been very irksome to him. As to the prohibition 
against being in the streets of Venice after half-past nine 
he felt that no hardship whatever, as he found no amuse- 
ment in strolling in the crowded Piazza. 


22 


THE LION OF ST. MABK. 


CHAPTEK IL 

A CONSPIBACY. 

<'Who are those ladies, Matteo?" Francis asked his 
friend one evening, as the latter, who was sitting with him 
in his gondola while Ginseppi rowed them along the Grand 
Canal, half rose and saluted two girls in a passing gon- 
dola. 

They are distant cousins of mine, Maria and Giulia 
Polani ; they only returned a short time since from Corfu. 
Their father is one of the richest merchants of our city, 
he has for the last three years been living in Corfu, which 
is the headquarters of his trade. The family is an old one, 
and has given doges to Venice. They are two of our 
richest heiresses, for they have no brothers. Their mother 
died soon after the birth of Giulia. 

They both look very young, Francis said. 

** Maria is about sixteen, her sister two years younger. 
There will be no lack of suitors for their hands, for al- 
though the family is not politically powerful, as it used to 
be, their wealth would cause them to be gladly received in 
our very first families.^' 

** Who was the middle-aged lady sitting between them 

She is only their duenna,” Matteo said carelessly. 
** She has been with them since they were children, and 
their father places great confidence in her. And he had 
need to, for Maria will ere long be receiving bouquets and 
perfumed notes from many a young gallant.” 

I can quite fancy that,” Francis said, ‘'for she is very 
pretty as well as very rich, and, as far as I have observed, 


TEE LION OF ST. MARK. 


23 


the two things do not go very often together. However, no 
donbt by this time her father has pretty well arranged in 
his mind whom she is to marry. 

** I expect so,^^ agreed Matteo. 

That is the worst of being born of good family ; yoy» 
have got to marry some one of your father’s choice, not 
your own, and that choice is determined simply by the de- 
•ire to add to the political influence of the family, to 
strengthen distant ties, or to obtain powerful connections, 
I suppose it is the same everywhere, Matteo, but I do think 
that a man or woman ought to have some voice in a mat- 
ter of such importance to them.” 

** I think so too at the present time,” Matteo laughed ; 
but I don’t suppose that I shall be of that opinion when 
I have a family of sons and daughters to marry. This 
gondola of yours must be a fast one indeed, Francisco, for 
with only one rower she keeps up with almost all the pair- 
oared boats, and your boy is not exerting himself to the 
utmost either.” 

She can fly along, I can tell you, Matteo. You shall 
come out in her some evening when Giuseppi and I both take 
oars. I have had her ten days now, and we have not come 
across anything that can hold her for a moment.” 

^'It is always useful,” Matteo said, ^^to have a fast boat. 
It is invaluable in case you have been getting into a scrape 
and have one of the boats of the city watch in chase of 
you.” 

I hope I shan’t want it for any purpose of that sort,” 
Francis answered, laughing. I do not think I am likely 
to give cause to the city watch to chase me.” 

don’t think you are, Francisco, but there is never 
any saying.” 

At any rate it is always useful to be able to go fast if 
necessary, and if we did want to get away I do not think 
there are many pair-oared gondolas afloat that would over- 
take us, though a good four-oar might do so. Giuseppi 


24 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


and I are bo accustomed to each other’s stroke now, that 
though in a heavy boat we might not be a match for two 
men, in a light craft like this, where weight does not 
vount for so much, we would not mind entering her for a 
race against the two best gondoliers on the canals in an 
ordinary boat.” 

A few evenings later Francis was returning homeward 
at about half-past ten, when, in passing along a quiet canal 
the boat was hailed from the shore. 

Shall we take him, Messer Francisco?” Giuseppi 
asked in a low voice ; for more than once they had late in 
the eveni]ig taken a fare. 

Francis rowed, like Giuseppi, in his shirt, and in the 
darkness they were often taken for a pair-oared gondola 
on the lookout for a fare. Francis had sometimes accepted 
the offer, because it was an amusement to see where the 
passenger wished to go — to guess whether he was a lover 
hastening to keep an appointment, a gambler on a visit to 
some quiet locality where high play went on unknown to 
the authorities, or simply one who had by some error 
missed his own gondola and was anxious to return home. 
It made no difference to him which way he rowed ; it was 
always possible that some adventure was to be met with, 
and the fare paid was a not unwelcome addition to 
Giuseppi’s funds. 

Yes, we may as well take him,” he replied to Giuseppi’s 
question. 

You are in no hurry to get to bed, I suppose ?” the 
man who had hailed them said as the boat drew up against 
the wall of the canal. 

It does not make much difference to us if we are well 
paid to keep awake,” Giuseppi said. Upon such occasions 
he was always the spokesman. 

You know San Nicolo ?” 

Yes, I know it,” Giuseppi said ; ^^but it is a long row 
»-8ix miles, if it’s a foot.” 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 25 

Yon will have to wait there for an hour or two, hut I 
will give you half a ducat for your night^s work/^ 

What do you say, partner ? Giuseppi asked Francis. 

^^We may as well go,” the lad replied after a mementos 
pause. 

The row was certainly a long one, hut the night was 
delightful, and the half-ducat was a prize for Giuseppi ; 
hut what influenced Francis principally in accepting was 
curiosity. San Nicolo was a little sandy islet lying quite 
on the outside of the group of islands. It was inhabited 
only hy a few fishermen ; and Francis wondered that a 
man, evidently hy his voice and manner of address belong- 
ing to the upper class, should want to go to such a place 
as this at this hour of the night. Certainly no ordinary 
motives could actuate him. As the stranger took his 
place in the boat Francis saw by the light of the stars that 
he was masked ; hut there was nothing very unusual in 
this, as masks were not unfrequently worn at night by 
young gallants when engaged on any frolic in which they 
wished their identity to he unrecognized. Still it added to 
the interest of the trip ; and dipping his oar in the water 
he set out at a slow, steady stroke well within his power. 
He adopted this partly in view of the length of the row 
before them, partly because the idea struck him that it 
might be as well that their passenger should not suspect 
that the boat was other than an ordinary gondola. The 
passenger, however, was well satisfied with the speed, for 
they passed two or three other gondolas before issuing from 
the narrow canals and starting across the broad stretch 
of the lagoon. Not a word was spoken until the gondola 
neared its destination. Then the passenger said : 

You row well. If you like the job I may employ you 
again.” 

^^We are always ready to earn money,” Francis said, 
speaking in a gruff voice quite unlike his own. 

** Very well. I will let you know, as we return, what 


26 


TEE LION OF ST. MABK. 


night I shall want yon again. I suppose you can keep 
your mouths shut on occasion, and can go without goe* 
siping to your fellows as to any job on which you are em- 
ployed ? 

We can do that/^ Francis said. '^It’s no matter to us 
where our customers want to go if they are willing to pay 
for it ; and as to gossiping, there is a saying, ^ A silver 
gag is the best for keeping the mouth closed.^ 

A few minutes later the bow of the gondola ran up on 
the sandy shore of San Nicolo. The stranger made his 
way forward and leaped out, and with the words, It may 
be two hours before I am back,” walked rapidly away. 

^'Why, Messer Francisco,” Giuseppi said when their, 
passenger was well out of hearing, what on earth pos- 
sessed you to accept a fare to such a place as this ? Of 
course, for myself, I am glad enough to earn half a ducat, 
which will buy me a new jacket with silver buttons for 
the next festa ; but to make such a journey as this was 
too much, and it will be very late before we are back. If 
the padrone knew it he would be very angry.” 

I didn^t do it to enable you to earn half a ducat, Giu- 
seppi, although I am glad enough you should do so ; but I 
did it because it seemed to promise the chance of an adven- 
ture. There must be something in this. A noble — for I 
have no doubt he is one — would never be coming out to 
San Nicolo at this time of night without some very strong 
motive. There can be no rich heiress whom he might 
want to carry off living here, so that can^t be what he has 
come for. I think there must be some secret meeting, for 
as we came across the lagoon I saw one or two boats in the 
distance heading in this direction. Anyhow, I mean to 
try and find out what it all means.” 

You had better not, sir,” Giuseppi said earnestly. If 
there is any plot on foot we had best not get mixed up in 
it. No one is too high or too low to escape the vengeance 
of the council if found plotting against the state ; and be- 


TSE LION OF ST. MARK. 


27 


fore now gondolas staved in and empty have been found 
drifting on the lagoons, and the men who rowed them have 
never been heard of again. Once in the dungeons of St. 
Mark it would be of no use to plead that you had entered 
into the affair simply for the amusement. The fact that 
you were not a regular boatman would make the matter all 
the worse, and the maxim that ^ dead men tell no tales ^ is 
largely acted upon in Venice. I think, sir, the best plan 
will be to row straight back, and leave our fare to find his 
way home as best he may.^' 

I mean to find something out about it if I can, Giu- 
seppi. A state secret may be dangerous, but it may be 
valuable. Anyhow, there can be no great risk in it. On 
the water I think we can show our heels to any one who 
chases us ; and once in Venice we are absolutely safe, for no 
one would suspect a gondola of Mr. Hammond, the English 
merchant, of having any connection with a hired craft with 
its two gondoliers." 

That is true enough, sir ; but I don^t like it for all 
that. However, if you have made up your mind to it there 
is nothing more to be said." 

^^Very well. You stay here, and I will go and look 
round. You had better get the gondola afloat and be 
ready to start at the instant, so that, if I should have to 
run for it, I can jump on board and be off in a moment." 

Francis made his way quietly up to the little group of 
huts inhabited by the fishermen, but in none of them could 
he see any signs of life — no lights were visible, nor could 
he hear the murmur of voices. There were, he knew, other 
buildings scattered about on the island ; but he had only 
the light of the stars to guide him, and, not knowing any- 
thing of the exact position of the houses, he thought it 
better to return to the boat. 

I can find no signs of them, Giuseppi." 

‘^All the better, Messer Francisco. There are some 
sorts of game which it is well for the safety of the hunter 


28 


TEE LION OF ST. MARK. 


not to discover. I was very glad, I can tell you, when I 
heard your whistle and made out your figure returning at 
a walk. Kow you are back I will take an hour's nap, and 
I should advise you to do the same." 

But Francis had no thought of sleep, and sat down at his 
end of the gondola wondering over the adventure, and con- 
sidering whether or not it would be worth while to follow 
it up another night. That it was a plot of some sort he 
had little doubt. There were always in V enice two parties, 
equally anxious perhaps for the prosperity of the republic, 
but differing widely as to the means by which that prosper- 
ity would be best achieved, and as to the alliances which 
would in the long run prove most beneficial to her. There 
were also needy and desperate men ready enough to take 
bribes from any who might offer them, and to intrigue in 
the interest of Padua or Ferrara, Verona, Milan, or Genoa 
— whichever might for the time be their paymasters. 
Francis was English, but he had been long enongh in 
Venice to feel a pride in the island city, and to be almost 
as keenly interested in her fortunes as were his companions 
and friends ; and a certain sense of duty, mingled with his 
natural love of adventure, decided him to follow up the 
chance which had befallen him, and to endeavor to ascer- 
tain the nature of the plot which was, he had little doubt, 
being hatched at San Nicolo. 

In a very few minutes the regular breathing of Giuseppi, 
who had curled himself up in the bottom of the boat, 
showed that he had gone to sleep ; and he did not stir 
until, an hour and a half after the return of Francis, the 
latter heard the fall of footsteps approaching the gondola. 

Wake up, Giuseppi, here comes our fare ! " 

Francis stood up and stretched himself as the stranger 
came alongside, as if he, too, had been fast asleep. 

Take me back to the spot where I hailed you," the 
fare said briefiy as he stepped into the boat and threw him- 
self back on the cushions, and without a word the lads 


THE LION OF ST, MARE, 


29 


dipped their oars in the water and the gondola glided away 
toward Venice. Just as they reached the mouth of the 
Grand Canal, and were about to turn into it, a six-oared 
gondola shot out from under the point, and a voice called 
out : 

Stop, in the name of the republic, and give an account 
of yourselves ! 

Row on," the passenger exclaimed, starting up ; ten 
ducats if you can set me safely on shore." 

Had the lads been real gondoliers it is probable that even 
this tempting offer would not have induced them to dis- 
regard the order from the galley, for they would have run 
no slight risk in so doing. 

But Francis had no desire to be caught, and perhaps im- 
prisoned for a considerable time until he was able to con- 
vince the council that his share of the night^s work had 
been merely the result of a boyish freak. With two strokes 
of his oar, therefore, he swept the boat^s head round, there- 
by throwing their pursuers directly astern of them ; then 
he and Giuseppi threw their whole weight into the stroke, 
and the boat danced over the water at a pace very different 
to that at which it had hitherto proceeded. But, fast as 
they went, the galley traveled somewhat faster, the rowers 
doing their utmost in obedience to the angry orders of their 
officer, and had the race been continued on a broad stretch 
of water it would sooner or later have overhauled the gon- 
dola. But Francis was perfectly aware of this, and edged 
the boat away toward the end of the Piazzetta, and then, 
shooting her head round, dashed at full speed along the 
canal by the side of the ducal palace, the galley being at 
the time some forty yards behind. 

The first to the right," Francis said, and with scarce a 
pause in their speed they turned off at right angles up the 
first canal they came to. Again and again they turned and 
twisted, regardless of the direction in which the canals took 
them, their only object being to gain on their pursuers,, 


30 


THE LION OF ST, MARK, 


who lost considerably at each turn, being obliged always 
to check their speed before arriving at each angle, to allow 
the boat to go round. In ten minutes she was far behind, 
and they then abated their speed, and turned the boat^s 
head in the direction in which they wished to go. 

By San Paolo,^' the stranger said, that was well 
done ! You are masters of your craft, and sent your boat 
along at a pace which must have astonished those fellows 
in that lumbering galley. I had no reason to fear them, 
but I do not care to be interfered with and questioned by 
these jacks-in-office of the republic." 

A few minutes later they reached the place where he 
embarked, and as he got out he handed the money he had 
promised to Giuseppi. 

Next Thursday night," he said, ^^at half-past ten." 

It seems a dangerous sort of service, signor," Giuseppi 
said hesitatingly. It is no joke to disobey the officers of 
the republic, and next time we may not be so fortunate." 

IPs worth taking a little risk when you are well paid," 
the other said, turning away, and it is not likely we shall 
run against one of the state galleys another night." 

Home, now, Giuseppi," Francis said ; we can talk 
about it to-morrow ; iPs the best nighPs work you ever 
did in your life, and as I have had a grand excitement we 
are both contented." 

During the next few days Francis debated seriously with 
himself whether to follow up the adventure ; but he finally 
decided on doing so, feeling convinced that there could be 
no real danger, even were the boat seized by one of the state 
galleys, as his story, that he had gone into the matter 
simply to discover whether any plot was intended against 
the republic, would finally be believed, as it would be be- 
yond the bounds of probability that a lad of his age could 
himself have been concerned in such a conspiracy. 

As to Giuseppi, he offered no remonstrance when Francis 
told him that he intended to go out to San Nicolo on ths 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


31 


following Thursday, for the ten ducats he had received 
was a sum larger than he could have saved in a couple of 
years^ steady work, and was indeed quite a fortune in his 
eyes. Another such a sum, and he would be able, when the 
time came, to buy a gondola of his own, to marry, and set 
up housekeeping in grand style. As for the danger, if 
Francis was willing to run it he could do the same ; for 
after all, a few months’ imprisonment was the worst that 
could befall him for his share in the business. 

Before the day came Matteo Giustiniani told Francis a 
piece of news which interested him. 

You remember my cousin Maria Polani, whom we met 
the other evening on the Grand Canal ? " 

Of course I do, Matteo. What of her ? 

Well, what do think ! Ruggiero Mocenigo, whom I 
pointed out to you on the Piazza — the man who had been 
banished for two years — ^has asked for her hand in mar- 
riage.” 

He is not going to have it, I hope,” Francis said in- 
dignantly. It would a shame, indeed, to give her to such 
a man as that.” 

That is just what her father thought, Francisco, and 
he refused Ruggiero pretty curtly, and told him, I believe, 
he would rather see her in her grave than married to him ; 
and I hear there was a regular scene, and Ruggiero went 
away swearing Polani should regret his refusal.” 

I suppose your cousin does not care much about his 
threats,” Francis said. 

don't suppose he cares much about them,” Matteo 
replied ; but Ruggiero is very powerfully connected, and 
may do him damage, not to speak of the chance of his 
hiring a bravo to stab him on the first opportunity. I 
know my father advised Polani to be very cautious where 
he went at night for a time. This fellow, Ruggiero, is a 
dangerous enemy. If he were to get Polani stabbed, it 
would be next to impossible to prove that it was his doing. 


32 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


however strong the suspicion might be ; for mere suspicion 
goes for nothing against a man with his influence and con- 
nections. He has two near relations on the council, and 
if he were to burn down Polani^s mansion, and to carry 
ofl Maria, the chances are against his being punished if he 
did but keep out of the way for a few months. 

As in England powerful barons were in the habit of wag- 
ing private wars with each other, and the carrying off a 
bride by force was no very rare event, this state of things 
did not appear to Francis as outrageous as it would do 
to an English lad of the present day, but he shook his 
head. 

Of course one understands, Matteo, that everywhere 
powerful nobles do things which would be regarded as 
crimes if done by others ; but, elsewhere, people can fort- 
ify their houses, and call out and arm their retainers, and 
stand on their guard. But that here, in a city like this, 
private feuds should be carried on, and men stabbed when 
unconscious of danger, seems to me detestable.^'’ 

Of course it isn^t right, Matteo said carelessly, but 
I don^t know how you are going to put a stop to it ; and 
after all, our quarrels here only involve a life or two, while 
in other countries nobles go to war with each other, and 
hundred of lives of people who have nothing to do with 
the quarrel may be sacriflced.^^ 

This was a light in which Francis had hardly looked 
upon the matter before, and he was obliged to own that 
even private assassination, detestable as it was, yet caused 
much less suffering than feudal war ; still he was not dis' 
posed entirely to give in to his friend^s opinion. 

That is true, Matteo ; but, at the same time, in a war 
it is fair flghting, while a stab in the back is a cowardly 
business. 

It is not always fair fighting,^^ Matteo replied. You 
hear of castles being surprised and the people massacred 
without a chance of resistance ; of villages being burned, 


THE LION OF ST. MARE. 


33 


and the people butchered unresistingly. I don^t think 
there is so much more fairness one way than the other. 
Polani knows he will have to be careful, and if he likes he 
can hire bravos to put Kuggiero out of the way, just as 
Ruggiero can do to remove him. There^s a good deal to 
be said for both sides of the question. 

Francis felt this was so, and that although he had an 
abhorrence of the Venetian method of settling quarrels he 
saw that as far as the public were concerned, it was really 
preferable to the feudal method of both parties calling out 
their retainers and going to war with each other, especially 
as assassinations played no inconsiderable part in the feu- 
dal struggles of the time. 

On the Thursday night the gondola was in waiting at 
the agreed spot. Francis had thought it probable that 
the stranger might this time ask some questions as to where 
they lived and their usual place of plying for hire, and 
would endeavor to find out as much as he could about them, 
as they could not but suspect that he was engaged in some 
very unusual enterprise. He had therefore warned Giu- 
seppi to be very careful in his replies. He knew that it 
was not necessary to say more, for Giuseppi had plenty of 
shrewdness, and would, he was sure, invent some plausi- 
ble story without the least difficulty, possessing as he did 
plenty of the easy mendacity so general among the lower 
classes of the races inhabiting countries bordering on the 
Mediterranean. Their fare came down to the gondola a 
few minutes after the clock had tolled the half-hour. 

see you are punctual. he said, which is more than 
most of you men are.^^ 

Francis was rowing the bow-oar, and therefore stood 
with his back to the passengers, and was not likely to be 
addressed by him, as he would naturally turn to Giuseppi, 
who stood close behind him. As Francis had expected, as 
soon as they were out on the lagoon the passenger tnrned 
to his companion and began to question him. 


34 


THE LION OF 8T. MARK. 


I cannot see your faces,” he said ; but by your 
figures you are both young, are you not ? ” 

I am but twenty-two,” Giuseppi said, ^^and my brother 
is a year younger.” 

And what are your names ? ” 

Giovmini and Beppo Morani.” 

And is this boat your own ? ” 

It is, signor. Our father died three years ago, leaving 
us his boat.” 

And where do you usually ply ? ” 

Anywhere, signor, just as the fancy seizes us. Some- 
times one place is good, sometimes another.” 

And where do you live ? ” 

We don^t live anywhere, signor. When night comes, 
and business is over, we tie up the boat to a post, wrap 
ourselves up, and go to sleep at the bottom. It costs 
nothing, and we are Just as comfortable there as we should 
be on straw in a room.” 

Then you must be saving money ?” 

Yes ; we are laying money by. Some day, I suppose, we 
shall marry, and our wives must have homes. Besides, 
sometimes we are lazy and don^t work. One must have 
some pleasure, you know.” 

Would you like to enter service ? ” 

^^No, signor. We prefer being our own masters; to 
take a fare or leave it as we please.” 

“ Your boat is a very fast one. You went at a tremen- 
dous rate when the galley was after us the other night.” 
^^The boat is like others,” Giuseppi said carelessly: 
but most men can row fast when the alternative is ten 
ducats one way or a prison the other.” 

Then there would be no place where I could always 
find you in the daytime if I wanted you ? ” 

No, signor ; there would be no saying where we might 
be. We have sometimes regular customers, and it would 
not pay us to disappoint them, even if you paid us five 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


36 


times the ordinary fare ; but we could always meet you at 
night anywhere, when you choose to appoint/^ 

** But how can I appoint," the passenger said irritably, 
if I don^t know where to find you ? " 

Giuseppi was silent for a stroke or two. 

** If your excellency would write in figures half-past ten 
or eleven, or whatever time we should meet you, just at 
the base of the column of the palace — the corner one on 
the Piazzetta — we should he sure to be there some time or 
other during the day, and would look for it." 

You can read and write, then ? " the passenger asked. 

I cannot do that, signor," Giuseppi said, ** but I can 
make out figures. That is necessary to us, as how else 
could we keep time with our customers ? We can read 
the sun-dials, as every one else can ; but as to reading and 
writing, that is not for poor lads like us." 

The stranger was satisfied. Certainly every one could 
read the sun-dials ; and the gondoliers would, as they said, 
understand his figures if he wrote them. 

** Very well," he said ; 'Mt is probable I shall generally 
know, each time I discharge you, when I shall want you 
again ; but should there be any change, I will make the 
figures on the base of the column at the corner of the 
Piazzetta, and that will mean the hour at which you are 
to meet me that night at the usual place." 

Nothing more was said until the gondola arrived at the 
same spot at which it had landed the passenger on the pre- 
vious occasion. 

'' I shall be hack in^bout the same time as before," the 
fare said when he alighted. 

As he strode away into the darkness Francis followed 
him. He was shoeless, for at that time the lower class 
seldom wore any protection to the feet, unless when going 
a journey over rough ground. Among the gondoliers 
shoes were unknown ; and Francis himself generally took 
his off, for coolness and comfort, when out for the evening 


86 


THE LION OF ST. MABK. 


in his boat. He kept some distance behind the man he 
was following, for as there were no hedges or inclosures, 
he could make out his figure against the sky at a consider- 
able distance. 

As Francis had expected he did not make toward the 
village, but kept along the island at a short distance from 
the edge of the water. Presently Francis heard the dip of 
oars, and a gondola ran up on the sands halfway between 
himself and the man he was following. He threw him- 
self down on the ground. Two men alighted, and went 
in the same direction as the one who had gone ahead. 
Francis made a detour, so as to avoid being noticed by the 
gondoliers, and then again followed. 

After keeping more than a quarter of a mile near the 
water, the two figures ahead struck inshore. Francis fol- 
lowed them, and in a few minutes they stopped at a black 
mass rising above the sand. He heard them knock, and 
then a low murmur, as if they were answering some ques- 
tion from within. Then they entered, and a door closed. 

He moved up to the building ; it was a hut of some size, 
but had a deserted appearance. It stood between two 
ridges of low sand hills, and the sand had drifted till it 
was halfway up the walls. There was no garden or in- 
closure round it, and any passer-by would have concluded 
that it was uninhabited. The shutters were closed, and 
no gleam of light showed from within. After stepping 
carefully round it Francis took his post round the angle 
close to the door, and waited. 

Presently he heard footsteps approaching — three knocks 
were given on the door, and a voice within asked, Who 
is there The reply was, ^^One who is in distress. The 
question came, What ails you and the answer, All 
is wrong within. Then there was a sound of bars being 
withdrawn, and the door opened and closed again. 

There were four other arrivals. The same questions 
were asked and answered each time. Then some minutes 


L. St. M. Francis watches the conspirators on San Nicolo— P age j6. 



i 


TEE LION OF 8T. MARK. 


37 


elapsed without any fresh comers, and Francis thought 
that the number was probably complete. He lay down on 
the sand, and with his dagger began to make a hole 
through the wood, which was old and rotten, and gave him 
no difficulty in piercing it. He applied his eye to the ori- 
fice, and saw that there were some twelve men seated round 
a table. 

Of those facing him he knew three or four by sight ; all 
were men of good family. Two of them belonged to the 
council, but not to the inner Council of Ten. One sitting 
at the top of the table was speaking ; but although Francis 
applied his ear to the hole he had made he could hear 
but a confused murmur, and could not catch the words. 
He now rose cautiously, scooped up the sand so as to cover 
the hole in the wall, and swept a little down over the spot 
where he had been lying, although he had no doubt that 
the breeze which would spring up before morning would 
soon drift the light shifting sand over it and obliterate the 
mark of his recumbent figure. Then he went round to 
the other side of the hut and bored another hole, so as to 
obtain a view of the faces of those whose backs had before 
been toward him. 

One of these was Ruggiero Mocenigo. Another was a 
stranger to Francis, and some difference in the fashion of 
his garments indicated that he was not a Venetian, but, 
Francis thought, a Hungarian. The other three were not 
nobles. One of them Francis recognized as being a man 
of much influence among the fishermen and sailors. The 
other two were unknown to him. 

As upward of an hour had been spent in making the 
two holes and taking observations, Francis thought it bet- 
ter now to make his way back to his boat, especially as it 
was evident that he would gain nothing by remaining 
longer. Therefore, after taking the same precautions as 
before to conceal all signs of his presence, he made his 
way across the sands back to his gondola. 


38 


TRE LION OF ST. MAEK. 


Heaven be praised you are back again ? ” Giuseppi 
said when he heard his low whistle as he came down to the 
boat. I have been in a fever ever since I lost sight of 
yon. Have you succeeded ? 

I have found out that there is certainly a plot of some 
sort being got up, and I know some of those concerned in 
it, but I could hear nothing that went on. Still I have 
succeeded better than I expected, and I am well satisfied 
with the night^s work.^^ 

I hope you won^t come again, Messer Francisco. In 
the first place, you may not always have the fortune to get 
away unseen. In the next place, it is a dangerous matter 
to have to do with conspiracies, whichever side you are on. 
The way to live long in Venice is to make no enemies. 

Yes, I know that, Giuseppi aud I haven't decided yet 
what to do in the matter." 

A quarter of an hour later their fare returned to the 
boat. This time they took a long detour, and, entering 
Venice, by one of the many canals, reached the landing 
place without adventure. The stranger handed Giuseppi a 
ducat. 

I do not know when I shall want you again ; but I 
will mark the hour, as agreed, on the pillar. Do not fail 
to go there every afternoon ; and even if you don't see it, 
you might as well come round here at half -past ten of a 
night. I may want you suddenly." 

Before going to sleep that night Francis thought the 
matter over seriously, and finally concluded that he would 
have no more to do with it. No doubt, by crossing over to 
San Nicolo in the daytime he might be able to loosen a 
plank at the back of the hut, or to cut so large an opening 
that he could hear as well as see what was going on within; 
but supposing he discovered that a plot was on hand in 
favor of the enemies of Venice, such as Padua or Hungary, 
what was he to do next ? At the best, if he denounced it, 
and the officers of the republic surrounded the hut when 


THE LION OF ST, MARK. 


39 


the conspirators were gathered there, arrested them, and 
found upon them, or in their houses, proofs sufficient to 
condemn them, his own position would not be enviable. 
He would gain, indeed, the gratitude of the republic ; but 
as for rewards, he had no need of them. On the other 
hand, he would draw upon himself the enmity of some 
eight or ten important families and all their connections 
and followers, and his life would be placed in imminent 
danger. They would be all the more bitter against him, 
inasmuch as the discovery would not have been made by 
accident, but by an act of deliberate prying into matters 
which concerned him in no way, he not being a citizen of the 
republic. So far his action in the matter had been a mere 
boyish freak ; and now that he saw it was likely to become 
an affair of grave importance, involving the lives of many 
persons, he determined to have nothing further to do with 
with it. 


40 


TEE LION OF ST MAEK. 


CHAPTER HI. 

ON THE GRAKD CANAL. 

Giusbppi next morning heard the announcement of the 
determination of Francis to interfere no further in the 
matter of the conspiracy at San Nicolo with immense satis- 
faction. For the last few nights he had scarcely slept, and 
whenever he dozed off dreamed either of being tortured in 
dungeons, or of being murdered in his gondola ; and no 
money could make up for the constant terrors which as- 
sailed him. In his waking moments he was more anxious 
for his employer than for himself, for it was upon him that 
the vengeance of the conspirators would fall, rather than 
upon a young gondolier, who was only obeying the orders 
of his master. It was then with unbounded relief that 
he heard Francis had decided to go no more out to San 
Nicolo. 

During the next few days Francis went more frequently 
than usual to the Piazza of St. Mark, and had no difficulty in 
recognizing there the various persons he had seen in the 
hut, and in ascertaining their names and families. One of 
the citizens he had failed to recognize was a large con- 
tractor in the salt works on the mainland ; the other was 
the largest importer of beasts for the supply of meat to 
the markets of the city. Francis was well satisfied with 
the knowledge he had gained ; it might never be of any 
use to him, but it might, on the other hand, be of impor- 
tance when least expected. As a matter of precaution he 
drew up an exact account of the proceedings of the two 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


41 


nights on the lagoons, giving an account of the meeting, 
and the names of the persons present, and placed it in a 
drawer in his room. He had told Giuseppi what he had 
done. 

I do not think there is the least chance of our ever 
being recognized, Giuseppi ; there was not enough light 
for the man to have made out our features. Still there is 
nothing like taking precautions, and if — I don't think it 
is likely, mind — but if anything should ever happen to me 
— if I should be missing, for example, and not return by 
the following morning — you take that paper out of my 
drawer and drop it into the Lion's Mouth. Then, if you 
are questioned, tell the whole story." 

^^But they will never believe me, Messer Francisco," 
Giuseppi said in alarm. 

They will believe you, because it will be a confirma- 
tion of my story ; but I don't think that there is the least 
chance of our ever hearing anything further about it." 

Why not denounce them at once without putting your 
name to it," Giuseppi said ; "" then they could pounce 
upon them over there, and find out all about it for them- 
selves ? " 

‘‘ I have thought about it, Giuseppi, but there is some- 
thing treacherous in secret denunciations ; these men have 
done me no harm, and as a foreigner their political schemes 
do not greatly concern me. I should not like to think 
I had sent twelve men to the dungeons and perhaps to 
death." 

I think it's a pity you ever went there at all, Messer 
Francisco." 

Well, perhaps it is, Giuseppi ; but I never thought it 
would turn out a serious affair like this ; however, I do 
wish I hadn't gone now ; not that I think it really matters, 
or that we shall ever hear anything more of it. We may, 
perhaps, some day see the result of this conspiracy, that is, 
if its objects are such as I guess them to be, namely, to 


42 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


form a party opposed to war with Hungary, Padna, or 
Genoa/^ 

For some days after this Francis abstained from late 
excursions in the gondola. It was improbable that he or 
Giuseppi would be recognized did their late passenger meet 
them ; still it was possible that they might be so ; and 
when he went out he sat quietly among the cushions while 
Giuseppi rowed, as it would be a pair-oared gondola the 
stranger would be looking for. He was sure that the con- 
spirator would feel uneasy when the boat did not come to 
the rendezvous, especially when they found that on three 
successive days figures were marked as had been arranged 
on the column at the corner of the Piazzetta. 

Giuseppi learned indeed a week later that inquiries had 
been made among the gondoliers for a boat rowed by two 
brothers, Giovanni and Beppo ; and the inquirer, who was 
dressed as a retainer of a noble family, had offered five 
ducats reward for information concerning it. No such 
names, however, were down upon the register of gondoliers 
licensed to ply for hire. Giuseppi learned that the search 
had been conducted quietly but vigorously, and that 
several young gondoliers who rowed together had been seen 
and questioned. The general opinion among the boatmen 
was that some lady must have been carried off, and that 
her friends were seeking for a clue as to the spot to which 
she had been taken. 

One evening Francis had been strolling on the Piazza 
with Matteo, and had remained out later than he had done 
since the night of his last visit to San Nicolo. He took 
his seat in the gondola, and when Giuseppi asked him if 
he would go home, said he would first take a turn or two 
on the Grand Canal as the night was close and sultry. 
There was no moon now, and most of the Gondolas carried 
torches. Giuseppi was paddling quietly, when a pair- 
oared gondola shot past them, and by the light of the torch 
it carried Francis recognized the ladies sitting in it to bo 


THE LION OF ST. MABK, 


43 


Maria and Giulia Polani with their duenna ; two armed 
retainers sat behind them. They were, Francis supposed, 
returning from spending the evening at the house of some 
of their friends. There were but few boats now passing 
along the canal. Polani^s gondola was a considerable dis- 
tance ahead, when Francis heard a sudden shout of, 
^^Mind where you are going !” Then there was a crash 
of two gondolas striking each other, followed by an out- 
burst of shouts and cries of alarm with, Francis thought, 
the clash of swords. 

Row, Giuseppi ! he exclaimed, leaping from his seat 
and catching up the other oar ; and with swift and power- 
ful strokes the two lads drove the gondola toward the 
scene of what was either an accident or an attempt at 
crime. They had no doubt which it was when they 
arrived at the spot. A four-oared gondola lay alongside 
that of the Polanis, and the gondoliers with their oars, 
and the two retainers with their swords, had offered a stout 
resistance to an armed party who were trying to board her 
from the other craft, but their resistance was well-nigh 
over by the time Francis brought his gondola alongside. 

One of the retainers had fallen with a sword-thrust 
through his body, and a gondolier had been knocked over- 
board by a blow from an oar. The two girls were stand- 
ing up screaming, and the surviving retainer was being 
borne backward by three or four armed men who were 
slashing furiously at him. 

Quick, ladies, jump into my boat ! " Francis exclaimed 
as he came alongside, and leaning over he dragged them 
one after the other into his boat just as their last defender 
fell. 

With a fierce oath the leader of the assailants was about 
to spring into the gondola, when Francis, snatching up his 
oar, smote him with all his strength on the head as he was 
in the act of springing, and he fell with a heavy splash in- 
to the water between the boats. 


44 


THE LION OF 8T, MARK. 


A shout of alarm and rage rose from his followers, but 
the gondolas were now separated, and in another moment 
that of Francis was flying along the canal at the top of its 
speed. 

^ ^ Calm yourselves, ladies," Francis said; there is no 
fear of pursuit ; they will stop to pick up the man I 
knocked into the canal, and by the time they get him on 
board we shall be out of their reach." 

** What will become of the signora ? " the eldest girl 
asked when they recovered a little from their agitation." 

No harm will befall her, you may be sure," Francis 
said ; it was evidently an attempt to carry you off, and 
now that you have escaped they will care nothing for your 
duenna. She seemed to have lost her head altogether, 
for as I lifted you into the boat she clung so fast to your 
garments that I fancy a portion of them were left in her 
grasp." 

Bo you know where to take us ? I see you are going 
in the right direction ! " the girl asked. 

To the Palazzo Polani," Francis said. I have the 
honor of being a friend of your cousin, Matteo Giustiniani, 
and being with him one day when you passed in your gon- 
dola he named you to me." 

A friend of Matteo ! " the girl repeated in surprise. 

Pardon me, signor, I thought you were two passing gon- 
doliers ; it was so dark that I could not recognize you ; 
and, you see, it is so unusual to see a gentleman rowing." 

** I am English, signora, and we are fond of strong exer- 
cise, and so after nightfall, when it cannot shock my 
friends, I often take an oar myself." 

I thank you, sir, with all my heart, for my sister and 
myself, for the service you have rendered us. I can hardly 
understand what has passed — even now it seems like a 
dream. We were going quietly along home when a large 
dark gondola dashed out from one of the side canals and 
nearly ran us down. Our gondolier shouted to warn them. 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


45 


but they ran alongside, and then some men jumped on 
board, and there was a terrible fight, and every moment I 
expected that the gondola would have been upset ; Beppo 
was knocked overboard, and I saw old Nicolini fall ; and 
then, just as it seemed all over, you appeared suddenly by 
our side and dragged us on board this boat before I had 
time to think 

I am afraid I was rather rough, signora, hut there was 
no time to stand on ceremony. Here is the palazzo.” 

The boat was brought up by the side of the steps. 
Francis leaped ashore and rang the bell, and then assisted 
the girls to land. In a minute the door was thrown open, 
and two servitors with torches appeared. There was an 
exclamation of astonishment as they saw the young ladies 
alone with a strange attendant. 

I will do myself the honor of calling to-morrow to 
inquire if you are any the worse for your adventure, 
signora. 

^^No, indeed, the eldest girl said ; ^^you must come up 
with us and see our father. We must tell him what has 
happened ; and he will be angry indeed did we suffer our 
rescuer to depart without his having an opportunity of 
thanking him." 

Francis bowed and followed the girls upstairs. They 
entered a large, very handsomely furnished apartment, 
where a tall man was sitting reading. 

Why, girls," he exclaimed as he rose, what has hap- 
pened ? you look strangely excited ; where is your duenna ? 
and who is this young gentleman who accompanies you ? 

We have been attacked, father, on our way home," 
both the girls exclaimed. 

Attacked ! " Signor Polani repeated. Who has dared 
to venture on such an outrage ? " 

We don^t know, father," Maria said ; it was a four- 
oared gondola that ran suddenly into us. We thought it 
was an accident till a number of men, with their swords 


46 


THE LION OF 8T, MARK. 


drawn, leaped on board. Then Nicolini and Franciadrew 
their swords and tried to defend us, andBeppo and Jacopo 
both fought bravely too with, their oars ; but Beppo was 
knocked overboard, and I am afraid Nicolini and Francia 
are killed, and in another moment they would have got at 
us, when this young gentleman came alongside in his gon- 
dola and dragged us on board, for we were too bewildered 
and frightened to do anything. One of them — he seemed 
the leader of the party — tried to jump on board, but our 
protector struck him a terrible blow with his oar and he 
fell into the water, and then the gondola made off, and, so 
far as we could see, they did not chase us.^^ 

It is a scandalous outrage, and I will demand justice at 
the hands of the council. Young sir, you have laid me 
under an obligation I shall never forget. You have saved 
my daughter from the worst calamity that could befall her. 
Who is it to whom I am thus indebted ? 

My name is Francis Hammond ; my father is an English 
merchant who has for the last four years established him- 
self here.^^ 

I know him well by repute,” Polani said ; I trust I 
shall know more of him in the future. But where is your 
duenna, girls ? ” 

She remained behind in the gondola, father ; she 
seemed too frightened to move.” 

The lady seemed to have lost her head altogether,” 
Francis said. As I was lifting your daughters into my 
gondola in a very hasty and unceremonious way — for the 
resistance of your servitors was all but overcome, and there 
was no time to be lost — she held so tightly to their robes 
that they were rent in her hands.” 

Signor Polani struck a gong. 

Let a gondola be manned instantly,” he said, and 
let six of you take arms and go in search of our boat ; let 
another man at once summon a leech, for some of those on 
board, are, I fear, grievously wounded, if not killed.” 


THE LION OF ST, MARK, 


47 


But there was no occasion to carry out the order con- 
cerning the boat, for before it was ready to start the miss- 
ing gondola arrived at the steps, rowed by the remaining 
gondolier. The duenna was lifted out sobbing hysterically, 
and the bodies of the two retainers were then landed. One 
was dead ; the other expired a few minutes after being 
brought ashore. 

‘^You did not observe anything particular about the 
gondola, Maria, or you, Giulia ? " 

^'No, father, I saw no mark or escutcheon upon it, 
though they might have been there without my noticing 
them. I was too frightened to see anything ; it came so 
suddenly upon us.^^ 

'' It was, as far as I noticed, a plain black gondola, 
Brands said. The men concerned in the affair were all 
dressed in dark clothes, without any distinguishing badges.” 

How was it you came to interfere in the fray, young 
gentleman ? Few of our people would have done so, hold- 
ing it to he a dangerous thing for a man to mix himself up 
in a quarrel in which he had no concern.” 

should probably have mixed myself up in it in any 
case when I heard the cry of women,” Francis replied ; 

hut, in truth, I recognized the signoras as their gondola 
passed mine, and knew them to be cousins of my friend 
Matteo Giustiniani, therefore when I heard the outcry 
ahead I naturally hastened up to do what I could in the 
matter.” 

And well you did it,” Polani said heartily. trust 
that the man you felled into the water is he who is the 
author of this outrage. I do not think I need seek far for 
him. My suspicions point very strongly in one direction, 
and to-morrow I will lay the matter before the council and 
demand reparation.” 

And now, signor, if you will permit me I will take my 
leave,” Francis said ; the hour is late, and the signoras 
will require rest after their fright and emotion.” 


48 


THE LION OF ST, MARK. 


I will see you to-morrow, sir. I shall do myself the 
honor of calling early upon your father to thank him for 
the great service you have rendered me." 

Signor Polani accompanied Francis to the steps, while 
two servants held torches while he took his seat in the 
gondola, and remained standing there until the bark had 
shot away beyond the circle of light. 

We seem fated to have adventures, Giuseppi." 

We do indeed, Messer Francisco, and this is more to 
my liking than the last. We arrived just at the nick of 
time ; another half-minute and those young ladies would 
have been carried off. That was a rare blow you dealt their 
leader. I fancy he never came up again, and that that is 
why we got away without being chased." 

I am of that opinion myself, Giuseppi." 

If that is the case we shall not have heard the last of 
it, Messer Francisco. Only some one of a powerful family 
would venture upon so bold a deed as to try to carry off 
ladies of birth on the Grand Canal, and you may find that 
this adventure has created for you enemies not to be de- 
spised." 

I can^t help it if it has," Francis said carelessly. On 
the other hand, it will gain for me an influential friend in 
Signor Polani, who is not only one of the richest mer- 
chants of Venice, but closely related to a number of the 
best families of the city." 

His influence will not protect you against the point 
of a dagger," Giuseppi said. ^^Your share in this 
business cannot but become public, and I think that it 
would be wise to give up our evening excursions at 
present." 

I don't agree with you, Giuseppi. We don't go about 
with torches burning, so no one who meets us is likely to 
recognize us. One gondola in the dark is pretty much like 
another, and however many enemies I had I should not be 
afraid of traversing the canals." 


THE LION OF ST. MABK. 49 

The next morning at breakfast-time Francis related to 
his father his adventure of the previous evening. 

** It is a mistake, my son, to mix yourself up in broils 
■which do not concern you ; but in the present instance it 
may be that your adventure -will turn out to be advanta- 
geous to your prospects. Signor Polani is one of the most 
illustrious merchants of Venice ; his name is known every- 
where in the East, and there is not a port in the Levant 
where his galleys do not trade ; the friendship of such a 
man cannot but be most useful to me. Upon the other 
hand, you will probably make some enemies by your inter- 
ference with the plans of some unscrupulous young noble, 
and Venice is not a healthy city for those who have power- 
ful enemies ; still I think that the advantages will more 
than balance the risk. 

'' However, Francis, you must curb your spirit of 
adventure. You are not the son of a baron or count, and 
the winning of honor and glory by deeds of arms neither 
befits you nor would be of advantage to you in any way. 
A trader of the city of London should be distinguished for 
his probity and his attention to business ; and methinks 
that ere long it will be well to send you home to take your 
place in the counting-house under the eye of my partner, 
John Pearson. Hitherto I have not checked your love 
for arms or your intercourse with youths of far higher 
rank than your own ; but I have been for some time 
doubting the wisdom of my course in bringing you out 
here with me, and have regretted that I did not leave 
you in good hands at home. The events of last night show 
that the time is fast approaching when you can no longer 
be considered a boy, and it will be better for you to turn 
at once into the groove in which you are to travel than to 
continue a mode of life which will unfit you for the career 
of a city trader. 

Francis knew too well his duty toward his father to make 
Miy reply, but his heart sank at the prospect of settling 


50 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


down in the establishment in London. His life there had 
not been an unpleasant one, but he knew that he should 
find it terribly dull after the freedom and liberty he had 
enjoyed in Venice. He had never, however, even to him- 
self, indulged the idea that any other career save that of 
his father could be his, and had regarded it as a matter of 
course that some day he would take his place in the shop 
in Oheapside. 

Now that it was suddenly presented to him as something 
which would shortly take place, a feeling of repugnance 
toward the life came over him. Not that he dreamed for 
a moment of trying to induce his father to allow him to 
seek some other calling. He had been always taught to 
consider the position of a trader of good standing of the 
city of London as one of the most desirable possible. The 
line between the noble and the citizen was so strongly 
marked that no one thought of overstepping it. 

The citizens of London were as proud of their position 
and as tenacious of their rights as were the nobles them- 
selves. They were ready enough to take up arms to defend 
their privileges and to resist oppression, whether it came 
from king or noble ; but few indeed, even of the wilder 
spirits of the city, ever thought of taking to arms as a pro- 
fession. It was true that honor and rank were to be gained 
by those who rode in the train of great nobles to the wars, 
but the nobles drew their following from their own estates, 
and not from among the dwellers in the cities ; and, al- 
though the bodies of men-at-arms and archers furnished by 
the city to the king in his wars always did their duty 
stoutly in the field, they had no opportunity of distinguish- 
ing themselves singly. The deeds which attracted atten- 
tion and led to honor and rank were performed by the 
esquires and candidates for the rank of knighthood, who 
rode behind the barons into the thick of the French chiv- 
alry. 

Therefore Francis Hammond had never thought of tak- 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


61 


ing to the profession of arms in his own country ; though, 
when the news arrived in Venice of desperate fighting at 
sea with the Genoese, he had thought to himself that the 
most glorious thing in life must be to command a well- 
manned galley as she advanced to the encounter of an 
enemy superior in numbers. He had never dreamed that 
such an aspiration could ever be satisfied — it was merely one 
of the fancies in which lads so often indulge. Still, the 
thought that he was soon to return and take his place in 
the shop in Chepe was exceedingly unpleasant to him. 

Soon after breakfast the bell at the water-gate rang 
loudly, and a minute later the servant entered with the 
news that Signor Polani was below, and begged an inter- 
view. Mr. Hammond at once went down to the steps to 
receive his visitor, whom he saluted with all ceremony, and 
conducted upstairs. 

I am known to you by name, no doubt. Signor Ham- 
mond, as you are to me,” the Venetian said when the first 
formal greetings were over. I am not a man of cere- 
mony, nor, I judge, are you ; but even if I were, the present 
is not an occasion for it. Your son has doubtless told you 
of the inestimable service which he rendered to me last 
night, by saving my daughters, or rather my eldest daugh- 
ter — for it was doubtless she whom the villains sought — 
from being borne off by one of the worst and most disrepu- 
table of the many bad and disreputable young men of this 
city.” 

I am indeed glad, Signor Polani, that my son was able . 
to be of service to you. I have somewhat blamed myself 
that I have let him have his own way so much, and per- 
mitted him to give himself up to exercises of arms, more be- 
fitting the son of a warlike noble than of a peaceful trader ; 
but the quickness and boldness which the mastery of arms 
gives was yesterday of service, and I no longer regret the 
time he has spent, since it has enabled him to be of aid to 
the daughters of Signor Polani.” 


52 


TEE LION OF ST. MARK, 


A mastery of arms is always useful, whether a man be 
a peace-loving citizen or one who would carve his way to 
fame by means of his weapons. We merchants of the Med- 
iterranean might give up our trade if we were not prepared 
to defend our ships against the corsairs of Barbary and the 
pirates who haunt every inlet and islet of the Levant now, 
as they have ever done since the days of Rome. Besides, 
it is the duty of every citizen to defend his native city when 
attacked. And lastly, there are the private enemies, that 
every man who rises but in the smallest degree above his 
fellows is sure to create for himself. Moreover, a training in 
arms, as you say, gives readiness and quickness, it enables 
the mind to remain calm and steadfast amid dangers of all 
sorts, and, methinks, it adds not a little to a man^s dignity 
aud self-respect to know that he is equal, man to man, to 
any with whom he may come in contact. Here in Venice 
we are all soldiers and sailors, and your son will make no 
worse merchant, but rather the better, for being able to 
wield sword and dagger. Even now,” he said with a smile, 
^'he has proved the advantage of his training ; for, though 
I say it not boastfully, Nicholas Polani has it in his power 
to be of some use to his friends, and foremost among them 
he will henceforward count your brave son, and, if you will 
permit him, yourself. But you will, I trust, excuse my 
paying you but a short visit this morning, for I am on my 
way to lay a complaint before the council. I have already 
been round to several of my friends, and Phillipo Giusti- 
niani and some six others, nearest related to me, will go 
with me, being all aggrieved at this outrage to a family 
nearly connected. I crave you to permit me to take your 
son with me, in order that he may be at hand if called 
upon to say what he knows of the affair.” 

Assuredly it it is his duty to go with you if you desire 
it ; although I own I am not sorry that he could see, as he 
tells me, no badge or cognizance which would enable him 
to say aught which can lead to the identification of those 


THE LION OF 8T. MARE. 


53 


who would have abducted your daughter. It is but too 
well known a fact that it is dangerous to make enemies in 
Venice, for even the most powerful protection does not 
avail against the stab of a dagger." 

‘‘ That is true enough," the merchant said. The fre- 
quency of assassinations is a disgrace to our city ; nor will 
it ever be put down until some men of high rank are exe- 
cuted, and the seignory show that they are jealous of the 
lives of private citizens as they are of the honor and well- 
being of the republic." 

Francis gladly threw aside his books when he was told 
that Signor Polani desired him to accompany him, and 
was soon seated by the side of the merchant in his gon- 
dola. 

*^How old are you, my friend?" the merchant asked 
him, as the boat threaded the mazes of the canals. 

I am just sixteen, signor." 

No more !" the merchant said in surprise. had 
taken you for well-nigh two years older. I have but just 
come from the Palazza Giustiniani, and my young kins- 
man, Matteo, tells me that in the School of Arms there 
are none of our young nobles who are your match with 
rapier or battle-ax." 

fear, sir," Francis said modestly, "^that I have given 
up more time to the study of arms than befits the son of a 
sober trader." 

^^Not at all," the Venetian replied. ^^We traders have 
to defend our rights and our liberties, our goods and our 
ships, just as much as the nobles have to defend their 
privileges and their castles. Here in Venice there are no 
such distinctions of rank as there are elsewhere. Certain 
families distinguished among the rest for their long stand- 
ing, wealth, influence, or the services they have rendered 
to the state, are of senatorial rank, and constitute our 
nobility; but there are no titles among us. We are all 
citizens of the republic, with our rights and privileges. 


64 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


which cannot be infringed even by the most powerful ; 
and the poorest citizen has an equal right to make himself 
a proficient in the arms which he may be called upon to 
wield in defense of the state as the doge himself. In your 
oountry also, I believe, all men are obliged to learn the 
use of arms, to practice shooting at the butts, and to make 
■themselves efficient, if called upon to take part in the 
wars of the country. And I have heard that at the jousts 
the champions of the city of London have ere now held 
their own against those of the court. 

They have done so," Francis said ; and yet, I know 
not why, it is considered unseemly for the sons of well-to- 
do citizens to be too fond of military exercises." 

^^The idea is a foolish one," the Venetian said hotly. 

I myself have a score of times defended my ships against 
€orsairs and pirates, Genoese and other enemies. I have 
fought against the Greeks, and been forced to busy myself 
in more than one serious fray in the streets of Constanti- 
nople, Alexandria, and other ports, and have served in the 
galleys of the state. All men who live by trade must be 
in favor of peace ; but they must also be prepared to de- 
fend their goods, and the better able they are to do it the 
more the honor to them. But here we are at the Piaz- 
zetta." 

A group of nobles were standing near the landing-place, 
and Signor Polani at once went up to them and intro- 
duced Francis to them as the gentleman who had done 
his daughter and their kinswoman such good service. 
Francis was warmly thanked and congratulated by all. 

Will you wait near the entrance ?" Signor Polani said. 

I see that my young cousin, Matteo, has accompanied his 
father, and you will, no doubt, find enough to say to each 
other while we are with the council." 

The gentlemen entered the palace, and Matteo, who had 
remained respectfully at a short distance from the seniors, 
at once joined his friend. 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


55 


^^Well, Francis, I congratulate you heartily, though I 
feel quite jealous of you. It was splendid to think of your 
dashing up in your gondola and carrying off my pretty 
cousins from the clutches of that villain, Kuggiero Moce- 
nigo, just as he was about to lay his hands on them.^' 

Are you sure it was Ruggiero, Matteo ?” 

Oh, there can’t be any doubt about it. You know, 
he had asked for Maria’s hand, and when Polani refused 
him, had gone off, muttering threats. You know what 
his character is ; he is capable of any evil action ; besides, 
they say that he has dissipated his patrimony in gaming 
and other extravagancies at Constantinople, and is deep in 
the hands of the Jews. If he could have succeeded in 
carrying off Maria it would more than have mended his 
fortunes, for she and her sister are acknowledged to be 
the richest heiresses in Venice. Oh, there is not a shadow 
of doubt that it’s he. You won’t hear me saying anything 
against your love of prowling about in that gondola of 
yours, since it has brought you such a piece of good fortune 
— for it is a piece of good fortune, Francis, to have ren- 
dered such a service to Polani, to say nothing of all the 
rest of us who are connected with his family. I can tell 
you that there are scores of young men of good birth in 
Venice who would give their right hand to have done what 
you did.” 

^‘1 should have considered myself fortunate to have 
been of service to any girls threatened by violence, though 
they had only been fishermen’s daughters,” Francis said ; 

but I am specially pleased because they are relatives of 
yours, Matteo.” 

To say nothing to their being two of the prettiest girls 
in Venice,” Matteo added slyly. 

‘"That counts for something too, no doubt,” Francis 
said, laughing, though I didn’t think of it. I wonder,” 
he went on gravely, “whether that was Ruggiero whom 1 
struck down, and whether he came up again to the surface. 


56 


TEE LION OF ST. MARK. 


He has very powerful connections, you know, Matteo ; 
and if I have gained friends I shall also have gained 
enemies by the night’s work.” 

That is so,” Matteo agreed. For your sake I own 
that I hope that Ruggiero is at present at the bottom of 
the canal. He was certainly no credit to his friends, and 
although they would of course have stood by him I do 
not think they will feel at heart in any way displeased to 
know that he will trouble them no longer. But if his men 
got him out again, I should say you had best be careful, 
for Ruggiero is about the last man in Venice I should care 
to have as an enemy. However, we won’t look at the un- 
pleasant side of the matter, and will hope that his career 
has been brought to a close.” 

I don’t know which way to hope,” Francis said gravely. 
He will certainly be a dangerous enemy if he is alive ; and 
yet the thought of having killed a man troubles me much.” 

It would not trouble me at all if I were in your place,” 
Matteo said. If you had not killed him you may be 
very sure that he would have killed you, and that the 
deed would have caused him no compunction whatever. 
It was a fair fight, just as if it had been a hostile galley in 
mid-sea ; and I don’t see why the thought of having rid 
Venice of one of her worst citizens need trouble you in any 
way.” 

You see I have been brought up with rather different 
ideas to yours, Matteo. My father, as a trader, is adverse 
to fighting of all kinds — save, of course, in defense of one’s 
country ; and although he has not blamed me in any way 
for the part I took, I can see that he is much disquieted, 
and indeed speaks of sending me back to England at 
once.” 

Oh, I hope not ! ” Matteo said earnestly. Hitherto 
you and I have been great friends, Francis, but we shall 
be more in future. All Polani’s friends will regard you as 
one of themselves ; and I was even thinking, on my way 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


57 


here, that perhaps you and I might enter the service ol 
the state together and get appointed to a war galley in a 
few years." 

My father’s hair would stand up at the thought, Mat- 
teo ; though, for myself, I should like nothing so well. 
However, that could never have been. Still I am sorry, 
indeed, at the thought of leaving Venice. I have been 
very happy here, and I have made friends, and there is 
always something to do or talk about ; and the life in Lon- 
don would be so dull in comparison. But here comes one 
of the ushers from the palace." 

The official came up to them and asked if either of them 
was Messer Francisco Hammond, and, finding that he had 
come to the right person, requested Francis to follow 
him. 


58 


TEE LION OF ST, MARK, 


CHAPTEE IV. 

CAERIED OFF. 

It was with a feeling of considerable discomfort and 
some awe that Francis Hammond followed his conductor 
to the chamber of the council. It was a large and stately 
apartment. The decorations were magnificent, and large 
pictures representing events in the wars of Venice hung 
round the walls ; the ceiling was also superbly painted. 
The cornices were heavily gilded, curtains of worked tapes- 
try hung by the windows and fell behind him as he entered 
the door. 

At a table of horseshoe shape eleven councilors, clad in 
the long scarlet robes trimmed with ermine which were 
the distinguishing dress of Venetian senators, were seated 
— the doge himself acting as president. On their heads 
they wore black velvet caps, flat at the top and in shape 
somewhat resembling the flat Scotch bonnet. Signor 
Polani and his companions were seated in chairs facing 
the table. When Francis entered the gondolier was giv- 
ing evidence as to the attack upon his boat. Several 
questions were asked him when he had finished, and he 
was then told to retire. The usher then brought Francis 
forward. 

This is Messer Francisco Hammond, he said. 

Tell your story your own way,^^ the doge said. 

Francis related the story of the attack on the gondola 
and the escape of the ladies in his boat. 

How came you, a foreigner and a youth, to interfere 
in a fray of this kind ? ” one of the councilors asked. 

^*1 did not stop to think of my being a stranger or a 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


youth/' Francis replied quietly. I heard the screams of 
women in distress, and felt naturally bound to render them 
what aid I could." 

Did you know who the ladies were ?" 

I knew them only by sight. My friend Matteo Gius- 
tiniani had pointed them out to me on one occasion aa 
being the daughters of Signor Polani and connections of 
his. When their gondola had passed mine, a few minutes 
previously, I recognized their faces by the light of the 
torches in their boat." 

"MVere the torches burning brightly ?" another of the 
council asked ; because it may be that this attack was 
not intended against them, hut against some others." 

The light was bright enough for me to recognize their 
faces at a glance," Francis said, ‘^and also the yellow and 
white sashes of their gondoliers." 

'^Did you see any badge or cognizance either on the- 
gondola or on the persons of the assailants ? " 

I did not," Francis said ; they certainly wore none. 
One of the torches in the Polani gondola had been extin- 
guished in the fray, but the other was still burning, and,, 
had the gondoliers worn colored sashes or other distin- 
guishing marks, I should have noticed them." 

Should you recognize, were you to see them again, 
any of the assailants ?" 

I should not," Francis said ; they were all masked.'^ 

You say you struck down the one who appeared to he 
their leader with an oar as he was about to leap into your 
boat, now was it that the oar was in your hand instead 
of that of your gondolier ? " 

^‘1 was myself rowing," Francis said. ^^In London 
rowing is an amusement of which hoys of all classes are 
fond, and since I have been out here with my father I have 
learned to row a gondola ; and sometimes when I am out 
of an evening I take an oar as well as my gondolier, enjoy- 
ing the exercise and the speed at which the boat goes 


60 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


along. I was not rowing when the signora’s boat passed 
me, but upon hearing the screams I stood up and took the 
second oar to arrive as quickly as possible at the spot. 
That was how it was that I had it in my hand when the 
man was about to leap into the boat.” 

Then there is nothing at all, so far as you know, to 
direct your suspicion against any one as the author of this 
attack ?” 

There was nothing,” Francis said, either in the gon- 
dola itself or in the attire or persons of those concerned in 
the fray, which could give me the slightest clue as to their 
identity.” 

At any rate, young gentleman,” the doge said, you 
appear to have behaved with a promptness, presence of 
mind, and courage — for it needs courage to interfere in a 
fray of this sort — beyond your years ; and in the name of 
the republic I thank you for having prevented the com- 
mission of a grievous crime. You will please to remain 
here for the present. It may be that when the person 
accused of this crime appears before us you may be able 
to recognize his figure.” 

It was with mixed feelings that Francis heard, a minute 
or two later, the usher announce that Signor Ruggiero 
Mocenigo was without awaiting the pleasure of their ex- 
cellencies. 

Let him enter,” the doge said. 

The curtains fell back and Ruggiero Mocenigo entered 
with a haughty air. He bowed to the council and stood 
as if expecting to be questioned. 

You are charged, Ruggiero Mocenigo,” the dodge said, 
^^with being concerned in an attempt to carry off the 
daughters of Signor Polani, and of taking part in the kill- 
ing of three servitors of that gentleman.” 

^^On what grounds am I accused?” Ruggiero said 
haughtily. 

** On the ground that you are a rejected suitor for the 


THE LION OF ST. MAEK. 


61 


elder lady’s hand, and that you had uttered threats against 
her father, who, so far as he knows, has no other ene- 
mies.” 

This seems somewhat scanty ground for an accusation 
of such gravity,” Kuggiero said sneeringly. ^^If every 
suitor who grumbles when his offer is refused is to be held 
responsible for every accident which may take place in the 
lady’s family, methinks that the time of this reverend and 
illustrious council will be largely occupied.” 

^^You will remember,” the doge said sternly, ^^that 
your previous conduct gives good ground for suspicion 
against you. You have already been banished from the 
state for two years for assassination, and such reports as 
reached us of your conduct in Constantinople during your 
exile were the reverse of satisfactory. Had it not been so, 
the prayers of your friends that your term of banishment 
might be shortened would doubtless have produced their 
effect.” 

At any rate,” Kuggiero said, I can with little diffi- 
culty prove that I had no hand in any attempt upon Signor 
Polani’s daughters last night, seeing that I had friends 
spending the evening with me, and that we indulged in 
play until three o’clock this morning — an hour at which, 
I should imagine, the Signoras Polani would scarcely be 
abroad.” 

At what time did your friends assemble ?” 

At nine o’clock,” Ruggiero said. We met by agree- 
ment in the Piazza somewhat before that hour and pro- 
ceeded together on foot to my house.” 

‘‘ Who were your companions ? ” 

Ruggiero gave the names of six young men, all connec- 
tions of his family, and summonses were immediately sent 
for them to attend before the council. 

In the meantime, Messer Francisco Hammond, you 
can tell us whether you recognize in the accused one of 
the assailants last night.” 


62 


TEE LION OF ST» MARK. 


I cannot recognise him, your excellency, Francis 
eaid ; but I can say certainly that he was not the leader 
of the party whom I struck with my oar. The blow fell 
on the temple, and assuredly there would be marks of such 
a blow remaining. 

As Francis was speaking Kuggiero looked at him with a 
cold, piercing glance which expressed the reverse of grati- 
tude for the evidence which he was giving in his favor, 
and something like a chill ran through him as he resumed 
his seat behind Signor Polani and his friends. 

There was silence for a quarter of an hour. Occasion- 
ally the members of the council spoke in low tones to each 
other, but no word was spoken aloud until the appearance 
of the first of the young men who had been summoned. 
One after another they gave their evidence, and all were 
unanimous in declaring that they had spent the evening 
with Kuggiero Mocenigo, and that he did not leave the 
room from the moment of his arrival there soon after nine 
o^clock, until they left him at two in the morning. 

You have heard my witnesses," Ruggiero said when 
the last had given his testimony ; and I now ask your 
excellencies whether it is right that a gentleman of good 
family should be exposed to a villainous accusation of this 
kind on the barest grounds of suspicion ? " 

You have heard the evidence which has been given. 
Signor Polani,” the doge said ; do you withdraw your 
accusation against Signor Mocenigo ? ” 

'' I acknowledge, your excellency,” Signor Polani said^ 
rising, that Ruggiero Mocenigo has proved that he took 
no personal part in the affair, but I will submit to you 
that this in no way proves that he is not the author of 
the attempt. He would know that my first suspicion 
would fall upon him, and would therefore naturally leave 
the matter to be carried out by others, and would take pre- 
cautions to enable him to prove, as he has done, that he 
was not present. I still maintain that the circumstances 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


63 


of the case, his threats to me, and the fact that my daugh- 
ter will naturally inherit a portion of what wealth 1 might 
possess, and that, as I know and can prove, Ruggiero 
Mocenigo has been lately reduced to borrowing money of 
the Jews, all point to his being the author of this attempt, 
which would at once satisfy his anger against me for hav- 
ing declined the honor of his alliance, and repair his 
damaged fortunes. 

There were a few words of whispered consultation be* 
tween the councilors and the doge then said : 

All present will now retire while the council deliber- 
ates. Our decision will be made known to the parties con- 
cerned in due time.^^ 

On leaving the palace Signor Polani and his friends 
walked together across the Piazza, discussing the turn of 
events. 

'^He will escape,^^ Polani said ; ^'he has two near rela- 
tions on the council, and however strong our suspicions 
may be there is really no proof against him. I fear that 
he will go free. I feel as certain as ever that he is the 
contriver of the attempt ; but the precautions he has taken 
seem to render it impossible to bring the crime home to 
him. However, it is no use talking about it any more at 
present. You will, I hope, accompany me home. Signor 
Francisco, and allow me to present you formally to my 
daughters. They were too much agitated last night to he 
able to thank you fully for the service you had rendered 
them. Matteo, do you come with us.^^ 

Three days passed and no decision of the council had 
been announced, when, early in the morning, one of the 
state messengers brought an order that Francis should he 
in readiness at nine o^clock to accompany him. At that 
hour a gondola drew up at the steps. It was a covered 
gondola, with hangings, which prevented any from seeing 
who were within. Francis took his seat by the side of the 
official, and the gondola started at once. 


64 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


It looks very much as if I was being taken as a pris- 
oner,^' Francis said to himself ; however, that can 
hardly be, for even if Euggiero convinced the council that 
he was wholly innocent of this affair no blame could fall 
on me, for I neither accused nor identified him. However, 
it is certainly toward the prisons we are going. 

The boat indeed was passing the Piazzetta without stop- 
ping, and turned down the canal behind to the prisons in 
rear of the palace. They stopped at the water-gate close 
to the Bridge of Sighs, and Francis and his conductor en- 
tered. They proceeded along two or three passages until 
they came to a door where an official was standing; a 
word was spoken and they passed in. 

The chamber they entered was bare and vaulted, and 
contained no furniture whatever, but at one end was a low 
stone slab upon which something was lying covered with a 
cloak. Four of the members of the council were stand- 
ing in a group talking when Francis entered. Signor 
Polani, with two of his friends, stood apart at one side of 
the chamber. Euggiero Mocenigo also, with two of his 
companions, stood on the other side. Francis thought that 
the demeanor of Euggiero was somewhat altered from that 
which he had assumed at the previous investigation, and 
that he looked sullen and anxious. 

We have sent for you, Francisco Hammond, in order 
that you may, if you can, identify a body which was found 
last night fioating in the Grand Canal." 

One of the officials stepped forward and removed the 
cloak, showing on the stone slab the body of a young man. 
On the left temple there was an extensive bruise, and the 
skin was broken. 

Do you recognize that body ? " 

I do not recognize the face," Francis said, and do 
not know that I ever saw it before." 

The wound upon the temple which you see, is it such 
113 you would suppose would be caused by the blow you 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


65 


struck an unknown person while he was engaged in attack- 
ing the gondola of Signor Polani ? 

I cannot say whether it is such a wound as would be 
caused by a blow with an oar/^ Francis said ; but it is 
certainly as nearly as possible on the spot where I struck 
the man, just as he was leaping, sword in hand, into my 
gondola." 

You stated at your examination the other day that it 
was on the left temple you struck the blow." 

* ^ I did so. I said at once that Signor Kuggiero Mo- 
cenigo could not have been the man who led the assailants, 
because had he been so he would assuredly have borne a 
mark from the blow on the left temple." 

Look at the clothes. Do you see anything there which 
could lead you to identify him with your assailant ? " 

My assailant was dressed in dark clothes as this one 
was. There was but one distinguishing mark that I 
noticed, and this is wanting here. The light of the torch 
fell upon the handle of a dagger in his girdle. I saw it 
but for a moment, but I caught the gleam of gems ; it was 
only a passing impression, but I could swear that he 
carried a small gold or yellow metal handled dagger, and 
I believe that it was set with gems, but to this I should 
not like to swear." 

Produce the dagger found upon the dead man," one 
of the council said to an official. 

And the officer produced a small dagger with a fine steel 
blade and gold handle, thickly encrusted with gems. 

Is this the dagger ? " the senator asked Francis. 

I cannot say that it is the dagger," Francis replied ; 
^'but it closely resembles it if it is not the same." 

You have no doubt, I suppose, seeing that wound on 
the temple, the dagger found in the girdle, and the fact 
that the body has evidently only been a few days in the 
water, that this is the man whom you struck down in the 
fray on the canal ? " 

5 


66 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


signor, I have no doubt whatever that it is the 
same person.” 

That will do,” the council said, you can retire ; and 
we thank you, in the name of justice, for the evidence you 
have given.” 

Francis was led back to the gondola and conveyed to his 
father’s house. An hour later Signor Polani arrived. 

The matter is finished,” he said, I cannot say satis- 
factorily to me, for the punishment is wholly inadequate 
to the offense, but at any rate he has not got off altogether 
unpunished. After you left we passed from the prison 
into the palace, and then the whole council assembled, as 
before, in the council chamber. I may tell you that the 
body which was found was that of a cousin and intimate 
■of Euggiero Mocenigo ; the two have been constantly to- 
gether since the return of the latter from Constantinople. 
It was found by inquiry at the house of the young man’s 
father that he left home on the evening upon which the 
attack was committed, saying that he was going to the main- 
land and might not be expected to return for some days. 

The council took it for granted from the wound in 
his head, and the fact that a leech had testified that the 
body had probably been in the water about three days, 
that he was the man that was stunned by your blow and 
drowned in the canal. Euggiero urged that the discovery 
in no way affected him ; and that his cousin had no doubt 
attempted to carry off my daughter on his own account. 
There was eventually a division among the council on this 
point, but Maria was sent for, and on being questioned 
testified that the young man had never spoken to her, and 
that indeed she did not know him even by sight ; and the 
majority thereupon came to the conclusion that he could 
only have been acting as an instrument of Euggiero’s. 

We were not in the apartment while the deliberation 
was going on, but when we returned the president an- 
nounced that although there was no absolute proof of Eug- 


THE LION OF ST. MABK. 


67 


giero’s complicity in the affair, yet that, considering his 
application for my daughter’s hand, his threats on my 
refusal to his request, his previous character, and his inti- 
macy with his cousin, the council had no doubt that the 
attempt had been made at his instigation, and therefore 
sentenced him to banishment from Yenice and the islands 
for three years.’’ 

I should be better pleased if they had sent him back 
to Constantinople, or one of the islands of the Levant,” 
Mr. Hammond said. If he is allowed to take up his 
abode on the mainland he may be only two or three miles 
away, which, in the case of a man of his description, is 
much too near to be pleasant for those who have incurred 
his enmity.” 

^^That is true,” Signor Polani agreed, ^^andl myself 
and my friends are indignant that he should not have been 
banished to a distance, where he at least would have been 
powerless for fresh mischief. On the other hand, his 
friends will doubtless consider that he has been hardly 
treated. However, as far as my daughters are concerned, 
I will take good care that he shall have no opportunity of 
repeating his attempt ; for I have ordered them, on no 
account whatever, to be absent from the palazzo after the 
shades of evening begin to fall, unless I myself am with 
them, and I shall increase the number of armed retainers 
in the house by bringing some of my men on shore from a 
ship which arrived last night in port. I cannot believe 
that even Kuggiero would have the insolence to attempt 
to carry them off from the house by force ; but when one 
has to deal with a man like this, one cannot take too 
great precautions.” 

I have already ordered my son on no account to be out 
after nightfall in the streets. In his gondola I do not 
mind, for unless the gondoliers wear badges it is impos- 
sible to tell one boat from another after dark. Besides, as 
he tells me, his boat is so fast that he has no fear what- 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


es 

ever of being overtaken, even if recognized and chased. 
But I shall not feel comfortable so long as he is here, and 
shall send him back to England on the very first occasion 
that offers.” 

1 trust that no such occasion may occur just yet. 
Signor Hammond. I should be sorry, indeed, for your 
son to be separated so soon from us. We must talk the 
matter over together, and perhaps between us we may hit 
on some plan by which, while he may be out of the reach 
of the peril he has incurred on behalf of my family, he 
may yet be neither wasting his time, nor altogether sepa- 
rated from us.” 

For the next fortnight Francis spent most of his time at 
the Palazzo Polani. The merchant was evidently sincere 
in his invitation to him to make his house his home ; and 
if a day passed without the lad paying a visit, would chide 
him gently for deserting them. He himself was frequently 
present in the balcony, where the four young people — for 
Matteo Giustiniani was generally of the party — sat and 
chatted together, the gouvernante sitting austerely by, 
with at times a strong expression of disapproval on her 
countenance at their laughter and merriment, although — 
as her charges’ father approved of the intimacy of the girls 
with their young cousin and this English lad — she could 
offer no open objections. 

In the afternoon the party generally went for a long 
row in a four-oared gondola, always returning home on 
the approach of evening. 

To Francis this time was delightful. He had had no 
sister of his own ; and although he had made the acquaint- 
ance of a number of lads in Venice, and had accompanied 
his father to formal entertainments at the houses of his 
friends, he had never before been intimate in any of their 
families. The gayety and high spirits of the two girls 
when they were in the house amused and pleased him, es- 
pecially as it was in contrast to the somewhat stiff and 


THE LION OF ST MABK, 


69 

dignified demeanor which they assumed when passing 
through the frequented canals in the gondola. 

I do not like that woman Castaldi/^ Francis said one 
evening as, after leaving the palazzo, Giuseppi rowed them 
toward the Palazzo Giustiniani, where Matteo was to be 
landed. 

Gouvernantes are not popular as a class with young 
men,^’ Matteo laughed. 

^^But seriously, Matteo, I don^t like her; and I am 
quite sure that for some reason or other she does not like 
me. I have seen her watching me as a cat would watch a 
mouse she is going to spring on.^^ 

Perhaps she has not forgiven you, Francisco, for sav- 
ing her two charges, and leaving her to the mercy of their 
assailants.” 

** 1 don’t know, Matteo. Her conduct appeared to me 
at the time to be very strange. Of course she might have 
been paralyzed with fright, but it was certainly curious 
the way she clung to their dresses, and tried to prevent 
them from leaving the boat.” 

You don’t really think, Francis, that she wanted them 
to be captured ? ” 

I don’t know whether I should be justified in saying 
as much as that, Matteo, and I certainly should not say so 
to any one else, but I can’t help thinking that such was 
the case. I don’t like her face, and I don’t like the wo- 
man ; she strikes me as being deceitful. She certainly 
did try to prevent my carrying the girls off, and had not 
their dresses given way in her hands she would have done 
so. Anyhow it strikes me that Kuggiero must have had 
some accomplice in the house. How else could he have 
known of the exact time at which they would be pass- 
ing along the Grand Canal ? for that the gondola was 
in waiting to dash out and surprise them there is no 
doubt.” 

I was asking Signora Giulia, the other day, how it was 


70 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


they were so late, for she says that her father never liked 
their being out after dusk in Venice, though at Corfu he 
did not care how late they were upon the water. She re- 
plied that she did not quite know how it happened. Her 
sister had said, some time before, that she thought it was 
time to he going, but the gouvernante — who was generally 
very particular — had said that there was no occasion to 
hurry, as their father knew where they were and would 
not be uneasy. She thought the woman must have mis- 
taken the time, and did not know how late it was. Of 
course this proves nothing. Still I own that, putting all 
the things together, I have my suspicions.^’ 

It is certainly curious, Francisco, though I can hardly 
believe it possible that the woman could be treacherous. 
She has been for some years in the service of the family, 
and my cousin has every confidence in her.” 

^^TThat may be, Matteo ; but Kuggiero may have prom- 
ised so highly that he may have persuaded her to aid him. 
He could have afforded to be generous if he had been suc- 
cessful.” 

There is another thing, by the bye, Francisco, which 
did not strike me at the time ; but, now you speak of it, 
may be another link in the chain. I was laughing at 
Maria about their screaming, and saying what a noise the 
three of them must have made, and she said, ^ Oh, no ! 
there were only two of us — Giulia and I screamed for aid 
at the top of our voices ; but the signora was as quiet and 
brave as possible, and did not utter a sound.’ ” 

That doesn’t agree, Matteo, with her being so fright- 
ened as to hold the girls tightly and almost prevent their 
escape, or with the row she made, sobbing and crying, 
when she came back. Of course there is not enough to go 
upon ; and I could hardly venture to speak of it to Signor 
Polani, or to accuse a woman in whom he has perfect con- 
fidence of such frightful treachery on such vague grounds 
of suspicion. Still I do suspect her ; and I hope when I 


THE LION OF 8T. MARK. 


71 


go away from Venice you will, as far as you can, keep an 
eye upon ker/^ 

I do not know how to do that,^^ Matteo said, laughing ; 
but I will tell my cousins that we don^t like her, and 
advise them in future not on any account to stay out after 
dusk, even if she gives them permission to do so ; and if I 
learn anything more to justify our suspicions, I will tell 
my cousin what you and I think, though it won^t be a 
pleasant thing to do. However, Ruggiero is gone now, 
and I hope we shan^t hear anything more about him.” 

I hope not, Matteo ; but I am sure he is not the man 
to give up the plan he has once formed easily, any more 
than he is to forgive an injury. However, here we are at 
your steps. We will talk the other matter over another 
time. Anyhow I am glad I have told you what I thought, 
for it has been worrying me. Now that I find you don^t 
think my ideas about her are altogether absurd, I will keep 
my eyes more open than ever in future. I am convinced 
she is a bad one, and I only hope we may be able to prove 
it.” 

You have made me very uncomfortable, Francisco,” 
Matteo said as he stepped ashore ; but we will talk about 
it again to-morrow.” 

We shall meet at your cousin^s in the evening. Be- 
fore that time we had better both think over whether we 
ought to tell any one our suspicions, and we can hold a 
council in the gondola on the way back.” 

Francis did think the matter over that night. He felt 
that the fact told him by Giulia, that the gouvernante had 
herself been the means of their staying out later than 
usual on the evening of their attack, added great weight to 
the vague suspicions he had previously entertained ; and 
he determined to let the matter rest no longer, but that 
the next day he would speak to Signor Polani, even at the 
risk of offending him by his suspicions of a person who 
had been for some years in his confidence. Accordingly 


72 


THE LION OF ST, MARK. 


he went in the morning to the palazzo but found that 
Signor Polani was absent, and would not be in until two 
or three o^clock in the afternoon. He did not see the girls, 
who, he knew, were going out to spend the day with some 
friends. At three o^clock he returned, and found that 
Polani had just come in. 

Why, Francisco, the merchant said when he entered, 
** have you forgotten that my daughters will be out all 
day?^^ 

No, signor, I have not forgotten that, but I wish to 
speak to you. I dare say you will laugh at me, but I hope 
you will not think me meddlesome or impertinent for 
touching upon a subject which concerns you nearly." 

‘'lam sure you will not be meddlesome or impertinent, 
Francisco," Signor Polani said reassuringly, for he saw 
that the lad was nervous and anxious. “ Tell me what 
you have to say, and I can promise you beforehand that 
whether I agree with you or not in what you may have to 
say, I shall be in no way vexed, for I shall know you have 
said it with the best intentions." 

“ What I have to say, sir, concerns the Signora Castaldi, 
your daughter’s gouvernante. I know, sir, that you re- 
pose implicit confidence in her ; and your judgment, 
formed after years of intimate knowledge, is hardly likely 
to be shaken by what I have to tell you. I spoke to Mat- 
teo about it, and, as he is somewhat of my opinion, I have 
decided that it is at least my duty to tell you all the cir- 
cumstances, and you can then form your own conclusions." 

Francis than related the facts known to him. First, 
that the assailants of the gondola must have had accurate 
information as to the hour at which they would come 
along ; secondly, that it was at the gouvernante’s suggestion 
that the return had been delayed much later than usual ; 
lastly, that when the attack took place the gouvernante did 
not raise her voice to cry for assistance, and that she had at 
the last moment so firmly seized their dresses that it wae 


THE LION OF 8T. MARK. 73 

only by tearing the girls from her grasp that he had been 
enabled to get them into the boat. 

There may be nothing in all this,” he said when he 
had concluded. But at least, sir, I thought that it was 
right you should know it ; and you will believe me that it 
is only anxiety as to the safety of your daughters that has 
led me to speak to you.” 

Of that I am quite sure,” Signor Polani said cordially, 
and you were perfectly right in speaking to me. I own, 
however, that I do not for a moment think that the cir- 
cumstances are more than mere coincidences. Signora 
Castaldi has been with me for upward of ten years ; she 
has instructed and trained my daughters entirely to my 
satisfaction. I do not say that she is everything that one 
could wish, but, then, no one is perfect, and I have every 
confidence in her fidelity and trustworthiness. I own that 
the chain you have put together is a strong one, and had 
she but lately entered my service, and were she a person of 
whom I knew but little, I should attach great weight to 
the facts, although taken in themselves they do not amount 
to much. Doubtless she saw that my daughters were en- 
joying themselves in the society of my friends, and in her 
kindness of heart erred, as she certainly did err, in allow- 
ing them to stay longer than she should. 

Then, as to her not crying out when attacked, women 
behave differently in cases of danger. Some scream loudly, 
others are silent, as if paralyzed by fear. This would 
seem to have been her case. Doubtless she instinctively 
grasped the girls for their protection, and in her fright did 
not even perceive that a boat had come alongside, or know 
that you were a friend trying to save them. That some 
one informed their assailants of the whereabouts of my 
daughters, and the time they were coming home, is clear ; 
but they might have been seen going to the house, and a 
swift gondola have been placed on the watch. Had this 
boat started as soon as they took their seat in the gondola 


74 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


on their return, and hastened by the narrow canals to the 
spot where their accomplices were waiting, they could have 
warned them in ample time of the approach of the gondola 
with my daughters. 

I have, as you may believe, thought the matter deeply 
over, for it was evident to me that the news of my daugh- 
ters^ coming must have reached their assailants before- 
hand. I was most unwilling to suspect treachery on the- 
part of any of my household, and came to the conclusion 
that the warning was given in the way I have suggested. 
At the same time, Francisco, I thank you deeply for hav- 
ing mentioned to me the suspicions you have formed, and 
although I think that you are wholly mistaken, I certainly 
shall not neglect the warning, but shall watch very closely 
the conduct of my daughters^ gouvernante, and shall take 
every precaution to put it out of her power to play me 
false, even while I cannot for a moment believe she would 
be so base and treacherous as to attempt to do so.^^ 

^'In that case, signor, I shall feel that my mission has 
not been unsuccessful, however mistaken I may be, and I 
trust sincerely that I am wholly wrong. I thank you much 
for the kind way in which you have heard me express sus- 
picions of a person in your confidence. 

The gravity with which the merchant had heard Francis^ 
story vanished immediately he left the room, and a smile 
came over his face. 

Boys are boys all the world over," he said to himself,, 
** and though my young friend has almost the stature of 
a man, as well as the quickness and courage of one, and 
has plenty of sense in other matters, he has at once the 
prejudices and the romantic ideas of a boy. Had Signora 
Castaldi been young and beautiful, no idea that she was 
treacherous would have ever entered his mind ; but what 
young fellow yet ever liked a gouvernante, who sits by and 
works at her tambour frame with a disapproving expres- 
sion on her face, while he is laughing and talking with a 


THE LION OF ST. MABK. 


7 & 

girl of his own age. I should have felt the same when I 
was a boy ; still, to picture the poor signora as a traitress 
in the pay of that villain Mocenigo is too absurd. I had 
the greatest difficulty in keeping my gravity when he was 
unfolding his story ; hut he is an excellent lad neverthe- 
less, a true, honest, brave lad, with a little of the bluffness, 
that they say all his nation possess, but with a heart of gold, 
unless I am greatly mistaken. 

At seven o’clock Francis was just getting into his gon- 
dola to go round again to Signor Polani’s when another 
gondola came along the canal at the top of its speed, and 
he recognized at once the badge of the Giustiniani. It 
stopped suddenly as it came abreast of his own boat, and 
Matteo, in a state of the highest excitement, jumped from 
his own boat into that of Francis. 

What is the matter, Matteo ? What has happened ? ” 

I have terrible news, Francisco. My cousins have 
both disappeared ! ” 

Disappeared ! ” Francis repeated in astonishment. 

How have they disappeared ? ” 

‘‘ Their father has just been round to see mine ; he is 
half -mad with grief and anger. You know they had gono 
to spend the day at the Persani’s.” 

Yes, yes,” Francis exclaimed ; but do go on, Matteo. 
Tell me all about it quickly.” 

Well, it seems that Polani, for some reason or other, 
thought he would go and fetch them himself, and at five 
o’clock he arrived there in his gondola, only to find that 
they had left two hours before. You were right, Fran- 
cisco 5 it was that beldam Castaldi 5 she went with them 
there in the morning and left them there, and was to have 
come in the gondola for them at six. At three o’clock she 
arrived, saying that their father had met with a serious 
accident, having fallen down the steps of one of the bridges 
and broken his leg, and that he had sent her to fetch them 
at once. 


76 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


Of course, they left with her instantly. Polani ques- 
tioned the lackeys who had aided them to embark. They 
said that the gondola was not one of his boats, but was ap- 
parently a hired gondola, with a closed cabin. The girls 
had stopped in surprise as they came down the steps, and 
Maria said, ^ Why, this is not our gondola I ’ Castaldi re- 
plied, ^No, no; our own gondolas had both gone off to 
find and bring a leech, and as your father was urgently 
wanting you, I hailed the first passing boat. Make haste, 
dears, your father is longing for you.^ So they got on 
hoard at once, and the gondola rowed swiftly away. That 
is all I know about it, except that the story was a lie, that 
their father never sent for them, and that up to a quarter 
of an hour ago they had not reached home." 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


77 


CHAPTER V. 

FUNDING A CLUE. 

This is awful, Matteo,” Francis said, when his friend 
had finished his story. What is to be done ? ” 

That is just the thing, Francisco ; what is to be done ? 
My cousin has been already to the city magistrates to tell 
them what has taken place, and to request their aid in dis- 
covering where the girls have been carried to. I believe 
that he is going to put up a proclamation, announcing that 
he will give a thousand ducats to whomsoever will bring 
information which will enable him to recover the girls. 
That will set every gondolier on the canals on the alert, 
and some of them must surely have noticed a closed gon- 
dola rowed by two men, for at this time of year very few 
gondolas have their covers on. It seems to be terrible not 
to be able to do anything, so I came straight off to tell 
you."" 

^'You had better send your gondola home, Matteo, it 
may be wanted. We will paddle out to the lagoon and 
talk it over ; surely there must he something to be done, 
if we could but think of it. This is terrible, indeed, Mat- 
teo,"" he repeated, after they had sat without speaking for 
some minutes. One feels quite helpless and bewildered. 
To think that only yesterday evening we were laughing 
and chatting with them, and that now they are lost and 
in the power of that villain Mocenigo, who you may he 
sure is at the bottom of it. By the way,"" he said sudden- 
ly, do you know where he has taken up his abode ? "" 

I heard that he was at Botonda, near Chioggia, a 


78 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


week ago, but whether he is there still I have not the least 
idea/' 

It seems to me that the thing to do is to find him, and 
keep him in sight. He will probably have them hidden 
away somewhere, and will not go near them for some time, 
for he will know that he will be suspected and perhaps 
watched." 

But why should he not force Maria to marry him at 
once ?" Matteo said. You see when he has once made 
her his wife he will be safe, for my cousin would be driven 
then to make terms with him for her sake." 

He may try that," Francis said ; ** but he must know 
that Maria has plenty of spirit, and may refuse to marry 
him, threaten her as he will. He may think that after she 
has been kept confined for some time and finds that there 
is no hope of escape, except by consenting to be his wife, 
she may give way. But, in any case, it seems to me that 
the thing to be done is to find Ruggiero, and to watch his 
movements." 

I have no doubt my cousin has already taken steps in 
that direction," Matteo said, and I feel sure that in this 
case he will receive the support of every infiuential man 
in Venice outside the Mocenigo family and their connec- 
tions. The carrying off of ladies in broad daylight will be 
regarded as a personal injury in every family. The last 
attempt was different ; I do not say it was not bad enough, 
but it is not like decoying girls from home by a false mes- 
sage. No one could feel safe if such a deed as this were 
not severely punished." 

“ Let us go back again, Matteo. It is no use our think- 
ing of anything until we know what has really been done, 
and you are sure to be able to learn at home what steps 
have been taken." 

On reaching home Matteo learned that Polani, accom- 
panied by two members of the council, had already started 
in one of the swiftest of the state galleys for the mainland. 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


79 ^ 


A council had been hastily summoned, and upon hearing; 
Polani’s narrative had dispatched two of their number, 
with an official of the republic, to Botonda. If Ruggiero 
was found to be still there, he was to be kept a prisoner in 
the house in which he was staying under the strictest 
watch ; if he had left, orders were to be sent to every town, 
in the Venetian dominions on the mainland for his arrest 
when discovered, and in that case he was to be sent a pris- 
oner, strongly guarded, to Venice. 

Other galleys had been simultaneously dispatched to 
the various ports, ordering a strict search of every boat 
arriving or leaving, and directing a minute investigation 
to be made as to the occupants of every boat that arrived 
during the evening or night. The fact that a thousand 
ducats were offered for information which would lead tO’ 
the recovery of the girls, was also to be published far and 
wide. 

The news of the abduction had spread, and the greatest 
indignation was excited in the city. The sailors from tho 
port of Malamocco came over in great numbers. They 
regarded this outrage on the family of the great merchant 
as almost a personal insult. Stones were thrown at the- 
windows of the Palazzo Mocenigo, and an attack would 
have been made upon it had not the authorities sent down 
strong guards to protect it. Persons belonging to that 
house, and the families connected with it, were assaulted in 
the streets, and all Venice was in an uproar. 

There is one comfort, Giuseppi said, when he heard 
from Francis what had taken place; ^^just at present 
Mocenigo will have enough to think about his own affairs 
without troubling about you. I have been in a tremble 
ever since that day, and have dreamed bad dreams every 
night.’’’ 

You are more nervous for me than I am for myself, 
Giuseppi ; but I have been careful too, for although 
Ruggiero himself was away his friends are here, and active 


so 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


too, as you see by this successful attempt ; but I think 
that at present they are likely to let matters sleep. Public 
opinion is greatly excited over the affair, and as, if I were 
found with a stab in my back, it would, after what has 
passed, be put down to them, I think they will leave me 
alone. 

I do hope, father,” Francis said at breakfast the next 
morning, ^^that there may be no opportunity of sending 
me back to England until something is heard of the 
Polanis.” 

I have somewhat changed my mind, Francis, as to that 
matter. After what Signor Polani said the other day, I 
feel that it would be foolish for me to adhere to that plan; 
with his immense trade and business connections he can 
do almost anything for you, and such an introduction into 
business is so vastly better than your entering my shop in 
the city that it is best in every way that you should stay 
here for the present. Of course for the time he will be 
able to think of nothing but his missing daughters ; but 
at any rate you can remain here until he has leisure to 
pursue the subject, and to state further than he did the 
other day what he proposes for you. My own business 
is a good one for a London trader, but it is nothing by 
the side of the transactions of the merchant princes at 
Venice, among the very first of whom Signor Polani is 
reckoned.” 

Francis was greatly pleased at his father^s words. He 
had, ever since Polani had spoken to him, been pondering 
the matter in his mind ; he knew that to enter business 
under his protection would be one of the best openings 
that even Venice could afford ; but his father was slow to 
change his plans, and Francis greatly feared that he would 
adhere to his original plan. 

I was hoping, father, that you would think favorably 
of what Signor Polani said, although, of course, I kept 
silence, knowing that you would do what was best for me. 


TEE LION OF ST. MABE. 


81 


And now I would ask you if you will, until this matter is 
cleared up, excuse me from my tasks. I should learn noth- 
ing did I continue at them, for my mind would be ever 
running upon Signor Polani^s daughters, and I should be 
altogether too restless to apply myself. It seems to me, 
too, that I might, as I row here and there in my gondola, 
obtain some clue as to their place of concealment.^^ 

I do not see how you could do that, Francis, when so 
many others, far better qualified than yourself, will be on 
the lookout. Still, as I agree with you that you are not 
likely to apply your mind diligently to your tasks, and as 
indeed you will shortly be giving them up altogether, I 
grant your request." 

Polani returned in the evening to Venice. Kuggiero 
Mocenigo had been found. He professed great indigna- 
tion at the accusation brought against him of being con- 
cerned in the abduction of the ladies, and protested furious- 
ly when he heard that, until they were found, he was to 
consider himself a prisoner. 

Signor Polani considered that his indignation was feigned, 
but he had no doubt as to the reality of his anger at find- 
ing that he was to be confined to his house under a guard. 
Immediately after his return, Polani sent his gondola for 
Francis ; he was pacing up and down the room when the 
lad arrived. 

Your suspicions have turned out correct, as you see, 
Francis ; would to heaven I had acted upon them at once, 
and then this would not have happened. It seemed to me 
altogether absurd when you spoke to me that the woman I 
have for years treated as a friend should thus betray me ; 
and yet your warning made me uneasy, so much so that I 
set off myself to fetch them home at five o'clock, only to 
find that I was too late. I scarcely know why I have sent 
for you, Francis, except that as I have found to my cost 
that you were more clear-sighted in this matter than I, I 
want to know what you think now, and whether any plan 

6 


82 


THE LION OF ST, MARK. 


offering even a chance of success has occurred to you. 
That they have been carried off by the friends of Mocenigo 
I have no doubt whatever.” 

I fear, signor,” Francis said, that there is little hope 
of my thinking of anything that has not already occurred 
to you. It seems to me hardly likely that they can be 
in the city, although, of course, they may be confined in 
the house of Mocenigo^s agents. Still they would be sure 
that you would offer large rewards for their discovery, and 
would be more likely to take them right away ; besides, 
I should think that it was Mocenigo’s intention to join 
them, wherever they may be, as soon as he learned that 
they were in the hands of his accomplices. Your fortu- 
nate discovery that they had gone, so soon after they 
had been carried off, and your going straight to him 
armed with the order of the council, probably upset his 
calculations, for it is likely enough that his agents had 
not arrived at the house, and that he learned from you 
for the first time that his plans had succeeded. Had 
you arrived two or three hours later you might have 
found him gone.” 

^^That is what I calculated, Francisco. His agents 
had but four hours’ start of me ; they would no doubt 
•carry the girls to the place of concealment chosen, and 
would then bear the news to him ; whereas I, going direct 
in one of the state gondolas, might reach him before they 
did, and I feel assured that I did so. It was nigh midnight 
when I arrived, but he was still up, and I doubt not await- 
ing the arrival of the villains he had employed. My first 
step was to set a watch round the house, with the order to 
u,rrest any who might come and inquire for him. No one, 
however, came. 

The news indeed of the sudden arrival of a state galley 
at that hour had caused some excitement in the place, and 
his agents might well have heard of it upon their arrival. 
I agree with you in thinking they are not in the town, but 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 83 

this makes the search all the more difficult ; the question 
is, what ought we to do next ?” 

The reward that you have offered will certainly bring you 
news, signor, if any, save those absolutely concerned, have 
observed anything suspicious ; but I should send to all the 
fishing villages on the islets and on the mainland, to pub- 
lish the news of the reward you have offered ; beyond that 
I do not see that anything can be done ; and I too have 
thought of nothing else since Matteo brought me the news 
of their being carried off. It will be of no use that I can 
see going among the fishermen and questioning them, be- 
cause with such a reward in view it is certain that any one 
who has anything to tell will come of his own accord to 
do so.^^ 

I know that is the case already, Francisco ; the author- 
ities have been busy all day with the matter, and a score 
of reports as to closed gondolas being seen have reached 
them ; but so far nothing has come of it. Many of these 
gondolas have been traced to their destinations, but in no 
case was there anything to justify suspicion. Happily, as 
long as Mocenigo is in confinement I feel that no actual 
harm will happen to the girls ; but the villain is as crafty 
as a fox, and may elude the vigilance of the officer in charge 
of him. I am going to the council presently to urge that 
he should be brought here as a prisoner ; but from what I 
hear there is little chance of the request being complied 
with ; his friends are already declaiming on the injustice 
of a man being treated as a criminal when there is no 
shadow of proof forthcoming against him ; and the disturb- 
ances last night have angered many who have no great 
friendship for him, but who are indignant at the attack of 
the populace upon the house of a noble. So you see that 
there is but faint chance that they would bring him hither 
a prisoner. 

I think, sir, that were I in your case I should put some 
trusty men to watch round the house where he is confined ; 


84 


THE LION OF ST. MABK- 


BO that in case he should escape the vigilance of his guards 
they might seize upon him. Everything depends, as you 
say, upon his being kept in durance.” 

I will do so, Francisco, at once. I will send to two of 
my officers at the port, and tell them to pick out a dozen 
men on whom they can rely, to proceed to Botonda and to 
watch closely every one who enters or leaves the house, 
without at the same time making themselves conspicuous. 
At any rate they will be handy there in case Mocenigo^s 
friends attempt to rescue him by force, which might be 
done with success, for the house he occupies stands at a 
short distance out of the town, and the official in charge 
of Mocenigo has only eight men with him. 

Yes, your advice is excellent, and I will follow it at 
once. Should any other idea occur to you pray let me 
know it immediately. You saved my daughters once, and 
although I know there is no reason why it should be sO;, 
still I feel a sort of belief that you may somehow be instru- 
mental in their again being brought back to me.” 

I will do my best, sir, you may depend upon it,” Fran- 
cis said earnestly. Were they my own sisters I could Uot 
feel more strongly interested in their behalf.” 

Francis spent the next week almost entirely in his gon- 
dola. Starting soon after daybreak with Giuseppi, he 
would row across to the villages on the mainland and make 
inquiries of all sorts there, or would visit the little groups 
of fishermen’s huts built here and there on posts among 
the shallows. He would scan every house as he passed it, 
with the vague hope that a face might appear at the win- 
dow or a hand be waved for assistance. But during all 
that time he had found nothing which seemed to offer the 
slightest clue, nor were the inquiries set on foot by Signor 
Polani more successful. Every piece of information which 
seemed to bear in the slightest degree upon the affair was 
investigated, but in no case was it found of the slightest 
utility. 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


8 & 

One evening he was returning late, tired by the long 
day^s work, and discouraged with his utter want of success,, 
when, just as he had passed under the Ponto Maggiore,. 
the lights on the bridge fell on the faces of the sitters in a- 
gondola coming the other way. They were a man and a. 
woman. The latter was closely veiled. But the night was 
close and oppressive, and just at the moment when Francis^ 
eyes fell upon her she lifted her veil for air. Francis 
recognized her instantly. For a moment he stopped row- 
ing, and then dipped his oar in as before. Directly the* 
other gondola passed through the bridge behind him, and 
his own had got beyond the circle of light, he swept it 
suddenly round. Giuseppi gave an exclamation[of surprise. 

Giuseppi, we have luck at last. Did you notice that 
gondola we met just now ? The woman sitting in it is 
Castaldi, who betrayed the signoras. 

What shall we do, Messer Francisco ? ” Giuseppi, who 
had become almost as interested in the search as his master,, 
asked. There was only a single gondolier and one other 
man. If we take them by surprise we can master them.^^ 

That will not do, Giuseppi. The woman would refuse* 
to speak, and though they could force her to do so in the 
dungeons, the girls would he sure to he removed the mo- 
ment it was known she was captured. We must follow 
them and see where they go to. Let us get well behind 
them so that we can just make them out in the distance. 
If they have a suspicion that they are being followed they 
will land her at the first steps and slip away from us.'^ 
^^They are landing now, signor, Giuseppi exclaimed 
directly afterward. Shall we push on and overtake them 
on shore ? 

It is too late, Giuseppi. They are a hundred and fifty 
yards away, and would have mixed in the crowd and he* 
lost long before we should get ashore and follow them. 
Eow on fast, but not over toward that side. If the gondola 
moves off we will make straight for the steps and try to 


86 


THE LION OF 8T. MARK, 


follow them, though our chance of hitting upon them in 
the narrow lanes and turnings is slight indeed. But if, as 
I hope, the gondola stops at the steps, most likely they 
will return to it in time. So we will row in to the bank a 
hundred yards further up the canal and wait.^^ 

The persons who had been seen in the gondola had dis- 
appeared when they came abreast of it, and the gondolier 
had seated himself in the boat with the evident intention 
of waiting. Francis steered his gondola at a distance of a 
few yards from it as he shot past, but did not abate his 
speed, and continued to row till they were three or four 
hundred yards further up the canal. Then he turned the 
gondola and paddled noiselessly back until he could see 
the outline of the boat he was watching. An hour elapsed 
before any movement was visible. Then Francis heard the 
sound of footsteps, and could just make out the figures of 
persons descending the steps and entering the gondola. 
Then the boat moved out into the middle of the canal, 
where a few boats were still passing to and fro. Francis 
kept his gondola close by the bank so as to be in the deep 
shade of the houses. The boat they were following again 
passed under the Ponto Maggiore, and for some distance 
followed the line of the Grand Canal. 

Keep your eye upon it, Giuseppi. It is sure to turn 
off one way or the other soon, and if it is too far ahead of 
us when it does so then it may give us the slip altogether.” 

But the gondola continued its course the whole length 
of the canal, and then straight on until, nearly opposite 
St. Markus, it passed close to a larger gondola with four 
rowers coming slowly in the other direction, and it seemed 
to Francis that the two boats paused when opposite each 
other, and that a few words were exchanged. Then the 
boat they were watching turned out straight into the 
lagoon. It was rather lighter here than in the canal bor- 
dered on each side by houses, and Francis did not turn the 
head of his gondola for a minute or two. 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 87 

‘‘ It will be very difficult to keep them in sight out here 
without their making us out,” Giuseppi said. 

Yes, and it is likely enough that they are only going 
out there in order that they may be quite sure that they 
are not followed before striking off to the place they want 
to go to. They may possibly have made us out, and guess 
that we are tracking them. They would be sure to keep 
their eyes and ears open.” 

I can only just make them out now, Messer Francisco, 
and as we shall have the buildings behind us they will not 
be able to see us as well as we can see them. I think we 
can go now.” 

We will risk it at any rate, Giuseppi. I have lost sight 
of them already, and it will never do to let them give us 
the slip.” 

They dipped their oars in the water, and the gondola 
darted out from the shore. They had not gone fifty strokes 
when they heard the sound of oars close at hand. 

To the right, Giuseppi, hard ! ” Francis cried as he 
glanced over his shoulder. 

A sweep with both oars brought the gondola^s head in a 
moment almost at right angles to the course that she had 
been pursuing, and the next sent her dancing on a new 
line just as a four-oared gondola swept down upon them, 
missing their stern by only three or four feet ; had they 
been less quick in turning, the iron prow would have cut 
right through their light boat. 

Giuseppi burst into a torrent of vituperation at the care- 
lessness of the gondoliers who had so nearly run into them, 
but Francis silenced him at once. 

^^Kow, Giuseppi, it was done on purpose. It is the 
gondola the other spoke to.” 

Their assailant was turning also, and in a few seconds 
was in pursuit. Francis understood it now. The gondola 
they had been following had noticed them, and had in- 
formed their friends waiting off St. Markus of the fact. 


88 


THE LION OF ST. MAEK. 


Intent upon watching the receding boat, he had paid no 
further attention to the four-oared craft, which had made 
a turn, and 'lay waiting in readiness to run them down 
should they follow in the track of the other boat. 

Francis soon saw that the craft behind them was a fast 
one, and rowed by men who were first-rate gondoliers. 
Fast as his own boat was fiying through the water, the 
other gained upon them steadily. He was heading now 
for the entrance to the Grand Canal, for their pursuer, in 
the wider sweep he had made in turning, was nearer to 
the Piazza than they were, and cut off their fiight in that 
direction. 

** Keep cool, Giuseppi,^' he said, they will be up to us 
in a minute or two. When their bow is within a yard or 
two of us, and I say, ^Now!^ sweep her head straight 
round toward the lagoon. We can turn quicker than they 
can. Then let them gain upon us and we will then turn 
again. 

The gondola in pursuit came up hand over hand. 
Francis kept looking over his shoulder, and when he saw 
its bow gliding up within a few feet of her stern he ex- 
claimed ^^Kow!^^ and with a sudden turn the gondola 
again swept out seaward. 

Their pursuer rushed on for a length or two before she 
could sweep round, while a volley of imprecations and 
threats burst from three men who were standing up in her 
with drawn swords. Francis and Giuseppi were now 
rowing less strongly and gaining breath for their next 
effort. When the gondola again came up to them they 
swept round to the left, and as their pursuers followed 
they headed for the Grand Canal. 

^^Make for the steps of Santa Maria church. We will 
jump out there and trust to our feet.^^ 

The two lads put out all their strength now. They were 
some three boats^ lengths ahead before their pursuers were 
fairly on their track. They were now rowing for life, for 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


89 


they knew that they could hardly succeed in doubling 
again, and that the gondola behind them was so well 
handled that they could not gain on it at the turnings 
were they to venture into the narrow channels. It was a 
question of speed alone, and so hard did they row that the 
gondola in pursuit gained but slowly on them, and they 
were still two lengths ahead when they dashed up to the 
steps of the church. 

Simultaneously they sprang on shore, leaped up the 
steps, and dashed off at the top of their speed, hearing, as 
they did so, a crash as the gondola ran into their light 
craft. There was a moment's delay, as the men had to 
step across their boat to gain the shore, and they were 
fifty yards ahead before they heard the sound of their pur- 
suers' feet on the stone steps ; but they were lightly clad 
and shoeless, and carried nothing to impede their move- 
ments, and they had therefore little fear of being over- 
taken. After racing on at the top of their speed for a few 
minutes they stopped and listened. The sound of their 
pursuers' footsteps died away in the distance ; and, after 
taking a few turns to put them off their track, they pur- 
sued their way at a more leisurely pace. 

They have smashed the gondola," Giuseppi said with 
a sob, for he was very proud of the light craft. 

Never mind the gondola," Francis said cheerfully; 
^^if they had smashed a hundred it would not matter." 

‘^But the woman has got away and we have learned 
nothing," Giuseppi said, surprised at his master's cheer- 
fulness. 

I think we have learned something, Giuseppi ; I think 
we have learned everything. I have no doubt the girls are 
confined in that hut on San Nicolo. I wonder I never 
thought of it before ; but I made so sure that they would 
be taken somewhere close to where Mocenigo was staying 
that it never occurred to me that they might hide them 
out there. I ought to have known that that was just the 


90 


THE LION OF ST. MABK. 


thing they would do, for while the search would be keen 
among the islets near the land, and the villages there, no 
one would think of looking for them on the seaward 
islands. I have no doubt they are there now. That 
woman came ashore to report to his friends, and that four- 
oared boat which has chased us was in waiting off St. Markus 
to attack any boat that might be following them. We 
will go to Signor Polani at once and tell him what has 
happened. I suppose it is about one o’clock now, but I 
have not noticed the hour ; it was past eleven before we 
first met the gondola, and we must have been a good deal 
more than an hour lying there waiting for them.” 

A quarter of an hour’s walking took them to the palazzo 
of Polani. They rang twice at the bell at the land en- 
trance before a face appeared at the little window of the 
door and asked who was there. 

I wish to see Signor Polani at once,” Francis said. 

** The signor retired to rest an hour ago,” the man said. 

‘'Never mind that,” Francis replied. “I am Francis 
Hammond, and I have important news to give him.” 

As soon as the servitor recognized Francis’ voice he un- 
barred the door. 

“Have you news of the ladies ?” he asked eagerly. 

“ I have news which will, I hope, lead to something,” 
Francis replied. 

A moment later the voice of Polani himself, who, although 
he had retired to his room, had not yet gone to sleep, was 
heard at the top of the grand stairs inquiring who it was 
who had come so late ; for although men had been arriving 
all day with reports from the various islands and villages, 
he thought that no one would come at this hour unless 
his news were important. Francis at once answered : 

“It is I, Signor Polani, Francis Hammond. I have 
news which I think may be of importance, although I may 
be mistaken ; still, it is certainly news that may lead to 
something.” 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


91 


The merchant hurried down. 

What is it, Francisco ? What have you learned V* 

I have seen the woman Castaldi, and have followed 
her. I do not know for certain where she was going, for 
we have been chased by a large gondola and have narrowly 
escaped with our lives ; still I have a clue to their where- 
abouts.” 

Francis then related the events of the evening. 

But why did you not run into the boat and give the 
alarm at once, Francisco ? Any gondolas passing would 
have given their assistance when you declared who she 
was, for the affair is the talk of the city. If that woman 
were in our power we should soon find means to make her 
speak.” 

''Yes, signor ; but the moment she was known to be in 
your power you may be sure that they would remove your 
daughters from the place where they have been hiding 
them. I thought, therefore, the best plan would be to 
track them. No doubt we should have succeeded in do- 
ing so had it not been for the attack upon us by another 
gondola.” 

"You are right, no doubt, Francisco. Still, it is unfor- 
tunate, for I do not see that we are now any nearer than 
we were before, except that we know that this woman is in 
the habit of coming into the city.” 

" I think we are nearer, sir, for I had an adventure 
some time ago that may afford a clue to their hiding- 
place.” 

He then told the merchant how he had one evening 
taken a man out to San Nicolo, and had discovered that a 
hut in that island was used as a meeting-place by various 
persons, among whom was Ruggiero Mocenigo. 

" I might have thought of the place, before, signor ; but, 
in fact, it never entered my mind. From the first we con- 
sidered it so certain that the men who carried off your 
daughters would take them to some hiding-place where 


92 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


Mocenigo could speedily join them that San Nicolo never 
entered my mind. I own that it was very stupid, for it 
seems now to me that the natural thing for them to do 
would be to take them in the very opposite direction to 
that in which the search for them would be made.’^ 

The story had been frequently interrupted by exclama- 
tions of surprise from Polani. At its conclusion he laid 
his hand on Francis' shoulder. 

My dear boy,” he said, ^^how can I thank you ! You 
seem to me to be born to be the preserver of my daughters. 
I cannot doubt that your suspicion is correct, and that 
they are confined in this hut at San Nicolo. How fortunate 
that you did not denounce this conspiracy — for conspiracy 
no doubt it is — that you discovered, for had you done so 
some other place would have been selected for the girls' 
prison.” 

I would not be too sanguine, sir. The girls may not 
be in this hut ; still, we may come on some clue there 
which may lead us to them ; if not, we will search the 
islands on that side as closely as we have done those on the 
mainland.” 

Now, shall I send for the gondoliers and set out at 
once? There are ten or twelve men in the house, and it 
is hardly likely that they will place a guard over them of 
anything like this strength, as of course they will be anx- 
ious to avoid observation by the islanders.” 

I do not think I would do anything to-night, sir,” 
Francis said ; the gondola that chased us will be on the 
alert. They cannot, of course, suspect in the slightest 
that we have any clue to the hiding-place of your daughters, 
still they might think that if we were really pursuing the 
other gondola and had recognized the woman Castaldi, we 
might bring the news to you, and that a stir might be 
made ; they may therefore be watching to see if anything 
comes of it ; and if they saw a bustle and gondolas setting 
out taking the direction of the island, they might set off 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 93 

and get there first, for it is a very fast craft, and remove 
your daughters before we reach the hut. 

I should say wait till morning. They may be watch- 
ing your house now, and if in an hour or two they see all is 
quiet they will no doubt retire with the belief that all 
danger is at an end. Then, in the morning, I would embark 
the men in two or three gondolas, hut I would not start 
from your own steps, for no doubt your house is watched. 
Let the men go out singly and embark at a distance from 
here, and not at the same place. Once out upon the la- 
goon, they should row quietly toward San Nicolo, keeping 
a considerable distance apart, the men lying down in the 
bottom as the boats approach the island, so that if any one 
is on the watch he will have no suspicion. 

‘ ^ As I am the only one who knows the position of the 
hut I will be with you in the first gondola. We will not 
land near the hut, hut pass by and land at the other end of 
the island ; the other gondolas will slowly follow us and 
land at the same spot ; then three or four men can go 
along by the sea face, with orders to watch any boats 
hauled up upon the shore there and stop any party making 
down toward them. The rest of us will walk straight to 
the hut, and, as it lies among sand hills, I hope we shall 
be able to get quite close to it before our approach is dis- 
covered.” 

An excellent plan, Francisco, though I am so impatient 
that the night will seem endless to me ; but certainly your 
plan is the best. Even if the house is watched and you 
were seen to enter, if all remains perfectly quiet they will 
naturally suppose that the news you brought was not con- 
sidered of sufficient importance to lead to any action. You 
will, of course, remain here till morning ? ” 

I cannot do that, sir, though I will return the first 
thing. There is lying on my table a paper with the par- 
ticulars and names of the persons I saw meet in this hut, and 
a request to my father that if I do not return in the morn- 


94 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


ing lie will at once lay this before the council. I place 
it there every day when I go out, in order that if I should 
be seized and carried off by Mocenigo's people, I should 
have some means of forcing them to let me go. Although 
I know absolutely nothing of the nature of the conspiracy, 
they will not know how much I am aware of, or what par- 
ticulars I may have given in the document ; and as I could 
name to them those present, and among them is the envoy 
of the king of Hungary now in the city, they would hardly 
dare harm me, when they knew that if they did so this 
-affair would be brought before the council." 

It was an excellent precaution, Francisco. Why, you 
are as prudent and thoughtful as you are courageous ! " 

It was not likely to be of much use, sir," Francis said 
modestly. ‘‘ I was very much more likely to get a stab in 
the back than to be carried off. Still, it was just possible 
that Mocenigo might himself like to see his vengeance car- 
ried out, and it was therefore worth my while guarding 
against it ; but, as you see, it will be necessary for me to 
be back some time before morning." 

At any rate, Francisco, you had better wait here until 
morning breaks. Your room is not likely to be entered for 
some hours after that ; so while I am preparing for our 
expedition you can go out and make your way to the Grand 
Canal, hail an early gondola, and be put down at your own 
steps, when, as you have told me, you can enter the house 
without disturbing any one ; then you can remove that 
paper and return here in the gondola. We will start at 
seven ; there will be plenty of boats about by that time, 
and the lagoon will be dotted by the fishermen^s craft, so 
that our gondolas will attract no attention." 

Perhaps that will be the best plan, signor ; and, in- 
deed, I should not be sorry for a few hours^ sleep, for 
Giuseppi and I have been in our boat since a very early 
hour in the morning, and were pretty well tired out before 
this last adventure began." 


TEE LIOE OF ST. MABK. 


95 


CHAPTEE VI. 

THE HUT OH SAH HICOLO. 

At seven o^clock all was in readiness for a start. Signor 
Polani set out alone in his gondola, and picked up Francis 
and four men at a secluded spot some distance from the 
house. A messenger had been sent two hours before to 
the captain of one of the merchant ships lying in the 
port. He at once put ten men into a large boat and 
rowed down to within half a mile of the island. Here a 
grapnel was thrown overboard, most of the men lay down 
in the bottom, and the captain, according to his instruc- 
tions, kept a sharp lookout to see that no boat left San 
Nicolo — his instructions being to overhaul any boat com- 
ing out, and to see that no one was concealed on board 
it. There he remained until Polani^s gondola rowed past 
him. After it had gone a few hundred yards the grapnel 
was got up, the men took to their oars and followed the 
gondola, keeping so far behind that it would not seem 
there was any connection between them. 

Francis made for the narrow channel which separated 
San Nicolo from the next island, and then directed the 
gondola to be run ashore, where a low sand hill close by 
hid them from the sight of any one on the lookout. A 
few minutes later the ship^s boat arrived. Francis now 
led the way direct for the hut, accompanied by Polani 
and six men, while four sailors advanced at a distance of 
a hundred yards on either flank to cut off any one making 
for the water. 

We may as well go fast,^^ he said, for we can scarcely 


96 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


get there without being seen by a lookout should there be 
one on the sand hills, and the distance is so short that 
there will be no possibility of their carrying your daugh- 
ters off before we get there." 

The faster the better," the merchant said. This 
suspense is terrible." 

Accordingly, the party started at a brisk run. Francis 
kept his eyes on the spot where he believed the hut lay. 

I see no one anywhere near there," he said, as they 
came over one of the sand ridges. Had there been any 
one on the watch I think we should see him now," 

On they ran, until, passing over one of the sand hills, 
Francis came to a standstill. The hut lay in the hollow 
below them. 

There is the house, signor ; now we shall soon know." 

They dashed down the short slope and gathered round 
the door. 

Within there, open ! " the merchant shouted, han)»- 
mering with the hilt of his sword on the door. 

All was silent within. 

Break it down ! " he said ; and two of the sailors, who 
had brought axes with them, began to hew away at the 
door. A few blows and it suddenly opened, and two men 
dressed as fishermen appeared in the doorway. 

What means this attack upon the house of quiet peo- 
ple ? " they demanded. 

Bind them securely," Polani said, as he rushed in, fol- 
lowed closely by Francis, while those who followed seized 
the men. Polani paused as he crossed the threshold, 
with a cry of disappointment — the hut was empty. Fran- 
cis was almost equally disappointed. 

If they are not here, they are near by," Francis said to 
Polani. Do not give up hope. I am convinced they are 
not far off ; and if we search we may find a clue. Better 
keep your men outside ; we can search more thoroughly 
by ourselves. " 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


91 


The merchant told his men, who had seized and were 
binding the two occupants of the hut, to remain outside. 
The inside of the hut differed in ho way from the ordinary 
dwelling of fishermen, except that a large table stood in 
the middle of it, and there were some benches against the 
walls. Some oars stood in one corner, and some nets were 
piled close to them, A fire burned in the open hearth, 
and a pot hung over it and two others stood on the 
hearth. 

** Let us see what they have got here," Francis said, 
while the merchant leaned against the table with an air of 
profound depression, paying no attention to what he was 
doing. 

** A soup," Francis said, lifting the lid from the pot over 
the fire, and, by the smell a good one." Then he lifted 
the other pots simmering among the burning brands. A 
ragout of kid and a boiled fish. Signor Polani, this is 
no fisherman^s meal ; either these men expect visitors of a 
much higher degree than themselves, or your daughters 
are somewhere close. Oh ! there is a door." 

It can lead nowhere," Polani said. The sand is 
piled up to the roof on that side of the house." 

It is," Francis agreed ; but there may be a lower room 
there completely covered with the sand ; at any rate we 
will see." 

He pushed against the door, but it did not give in the 
slightest. 

It may be the sand," he said, it may be bolts." 

He went to the outside door and called in the sailors 
with the hatchets. 

Break open that door," he said. There is a space 
behind," he exclaimed, as the first blow was given. It is 
hollow, I swear ; it would be a different sound altogether 
if sand was piled up against it." A dozen blows and the 
fastenings gave, and, sword in hand, the merchant and 
Francis rushed through it. 


98 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


Both gave a shout of delight. They were in a room 
built out at the back of the hut. It was richly furnished, 
and hangings of Eastern stuffs covered the walls. A burn- 
ing lamp hung from the ceiling. Two men stood irresolute 
with drawn swords, having apparently turned round just 
as the door gave way, for as it did so two figures struggled 
to their feet from a couch behind them, for some shawls 
had been wrapped round their heads, and with a cry of 
delight rushed forward to meet their rescuers. Seated at 
the end of the couch, with bowed-down head, was another 
female figure. 

Maria — Giulia the merchant exclaimed, as, drop- 

ping his sword, he clasped his daughters in his arms. 

Francis, followed by the two sailors with hatchets, ad- 
vanced toward the men. 

Drop your swords and surrender," he said. Kesist- 
ance is useless ; there are a dozen men outside." 

The men threw their swords down on the ground. 

Lead them outside and bind them securely," Francis 
said. 

For the next minute or two few words were spoken. 
The girls sobbed with delight on their f ather^s breast, while 
he himself was too moved to do more than murmur words 
of love and thankfulness. Francis went quietly out and 
spoke to the captain, who went in to the inner room, 
touched the sitting figure on the shoulder, and, taking her 
by the arm, led her outside. 

^^Come in, Francis," Polani called a minute later. 

My dears, it is not me you must thank for your rescue, 
it is your English friend here who has again restored you 
to me. It is to him we owe our happiness, and that you, 
my child, are saved from the dreadful fate of being forced 
to be the wife of that villain Mocenigo. Embrace him, my 
dears, as a brother, for he has done more than a brother for 
you. And now tell me all that has happened since I last 
saw you." 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 9 & 

Yon know, father, the message that was brought ns, 
that you had been hurt and wanted us home ? 

Yes, my dears, that I learned soon afterward. I went 
at five o^ clock to fetch you home, and found that you had 
gone, and why.^^ 

Well, father, directly we had taken our seats in the 
cabin of the gondola our gouvernante closed the doors, and 
soon afterward she slid to the two shutters before the win- 
dows. We cried out in surprise at finding ourselves in the 
dark, hut she bade us be quiet in a tone quite different to any 
in which she had ever spoken to us before. We were both 
frightened, and tried to push back the shutters and open 
the door, but they were fastened firmly. I suppose there 
was some spring which held them. Then we screamed ; but 
I could feel that the inside was all thickly padded. I sup- 
pose our voices could not be heard outside. I thought so, 
because once I thought I heard the gondoliers singing, but 
it was so faint that I could not be sure. Then the air 
seemed stifiingly close, and I fainted ; and when I came to 
myself one of the windows was open, and Giulia said she 
had promised we would not scream, but I think we were 
beyond the canals then, for I could see nothing but the sky 
as we passed along. When I was better the windows were 
almost shut again, so that we could not see out, though a 
little air could get in ; then the gondola went on for a 
long time. At last it stopped, and she said we must 
be blindfolded. We said we would not submit to it, 
and she told us unless we let her do it the men would 
do it. So we submitted, and she wrapped shawls closely 
over our heads. Then we were helped ashore, and walked 
some distance. At last the shawls were taken off our 
heads and we found ourselves here, and here we have 
been ever since. 

You have not been ill-treated in any way, my children? 
the merchant asked anxiously. 

Not at all, father ; until to-day nobody has been into 


100 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


this room besides ourselves and that woman. The door 
was generally left a little open for air, for you see there are 
no windows here. She used to go into the next room and 
come back with our food. We could see men moving 
about in there, but they were very quiet, and all spoke in 
low tones. You may think how we upbraided our gouver- 
nante for her treachery, and threatened her with your anger. 

She told us we should never be found, and that I might 
as well make up my mind to marry Ruggiero Mocenigo, for 
if I did not consent quietly means would be found to com- 
pel me to do so. I said I would die first, but she used to 
laugh a cruel laugh and say he would soon be here with 
the priest, and that it mattered not whether I said yes or 
no, the ceremony would be performed, and then Ruggiero 
would sail away with me to the East, and I should be glad 
enough then to make peace between him and you ; but he 
never came. I think she became anxious, for she went 
away twice for three or foui’ hours, and locked us in here 
when she went. That, father, is all we know about it. 
Where are we 

You are at San Nicolo.” 

On the island ! ” Maria exclaimed in surprise. She 
told us we were on the mainland. And now, how did you 
find us ? ” 

I will tell you as we go home, Maria. 

''Yes, that will be better, father. Giulia and I long for 
a breath of fresh air and the sight of the blue sky.” 

"Giulia has not had so much to frighten her as yon 
have,” her father said. 

"Yes, I have, father ; for she said I was to go across the 
seas with Maria, and that Ruggiero would soon find a hus- 
band for me among his friends. I told her that she was a 
wicked woman over and over again, and we told her that 
we were sure you would forgive and even reward her if 
she would take us back again to you. When she was away 
we thought we would try to make our escape behind, and 


THE LION OF ST. MABK. 


101 


i»e made a little hole in the boards ; but the sand came 
pouring in, and we found we were underground, though 
how we got there we didn^t know', for we had not come 
down any steps. So we had to give up the idea of escape.^’ 

"" You are partly underground,” her father said, ""for, 
as you will see when you get out, the sand has drifted up 
at the back of the hut to the roof, and has altogether hid- 
den this part of the hut ; so that we did not know that 
there was more than one room, and I should never have 
thought of breaking into that door had it not been for 
Francisco. And now come along, my dears ; let us wait 
here no longer.” 

The sailors and servitors broke into a cheer as the girls 
came out of the hut. 

"" Shall we put a torch to this place ? ” Francis asked 
Polani. 

""No, Francisco ; it must be searched thoroughly first. 
Captain Lontano, do you order four of your men to remain 
here until some of the ofl&cials of the state arrive. If any 
ojae comes before that, they must seize them and detain 
them as prisoners. The state will investigate the matter 
to the bottom.” 

Now that they were in the open air the merchant could 
B(?e that the close confinement and anxiety had told greatly 
u pon his daughters ; both were pale and hollow-eyed, and 
Id oked as if they had suffered a long illness. Seeing how 
shaken they were he ordered one of the retainers to go to 
t]ie gondola, and tell the men to row it round to the near- 
eist point to the hut ; the party then walked along down to 
the shore. 

In a few minutes the gondola arrived ; Polani, his two 
daughters, and Francis took their places in it ; the four 
men, bound hand and foot, were laid in the bottom of the 
ship^s boat ; the gouvernante was made to take her place 
there also, and the sailors were told to follow closely behind 
the gondola, which was rowed at a very slow pace. On 


102 


THE LION OF ST MARK. 


^the way Polani told his daughters of the manner in which 
Francis had discovered the place of concealment. 

Had it not been for him, my dears, we should certainly 
not have found you, and that villain would have carried 
out his plans sooner or later. He would either have given 
his guards the slip, or, when no evidence was forthcoming 
:against him, they would have been removed. He would 
then have gone outside the jurisdiction of the republic, ob- 
tained a ship with a crew of desperadoes, sailed round to 
the seaward side of San Hicolo, and carried you off. Noth- 
ing could have saved you, and your resistance would, as 
that woman told you, have been futile. 

We shall be grateful to you all our lives, Francisco,^’ 
Maria said. ^^We shall pray for you always, night and 
morning, shall we not, Giulia ? 

^^Yes, indeed,'^ the young girl said simply; ^^we shall 
love him all our lives." 

Answer for yourself, Giulia," Maria said with a laugh, 
her spirits returning in the bright sunshine and fresh air. 

When Francisco asks for my love it will be quite sooi) 
■enough to say what I think about it." 

I should never have courage enough to do that, sig- 
nora. I know what you would say too well." 

What should I say ? " Maria asked. 

You would say I was an impudent boy." 

Maria laughed. 

I cannot think of you as a boy any longer, Francisco," 
she said more gravely. I have, perhaps, regarded you 
as a boy till now, though you did save us so bravely before ; 
but you see you are only my own age, and a girl always 
looks upon a boy of her own age as ever so much younger 
than she is herself. Besides, too, you have none of the airs 
of being a man, which some of my cousins have ; and never 
pay compliments or say pretty things, but seem altogether 
like a younger brother. But I shall think you a boy no 
more. I know you better now." 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


103 


But I am a boy,” Francis said, and I don^t want to 
be thought anything else. In England we keep young 
longer that they do here, and a boy of my age would not 
think of speaking to his elders unless he was first ad- 
dressed. What are you going to do with your prisoners, 
signor ? ” 

I shall take them direct to my house, and then go and 
report the recovery of my daughters and their capture. 
Officials will at once be sent with a gondola to take them 
off to the prison. There can be no question now as to the 
part Mocenigo has played in this business, and no doubt 
he will be brought here a prisoner at once. Even his 
nearest connections will not dare to defend conduct so out- 
rageous, especially when public indignation has been so 
excited. You do not know, girls, what a stir has been 
caused in the city on your account. If it had not been 
for the citizen guard I believe the Moceniga palace would 
have been burned down, and Ruggiero’s connections have 
scarcely dared to show their faces in the streets since you 
have been missing. You see every father of a family felt 
personally grieved, for if the nobles were permitted with 
impunity to carry off the daughters of citizens, who could 
feel safe ? When this is all over I shall take you for a time 
back to our home in Corfu. It is not good for girls to be 
the subject of public talk and attention.” 

I shall be very glad, father,” Giulia said. I love our 
home at Corfu, with its gardens and flowers, far better 
than the palazzo here. The air is always soft and balmy, 
while here it is so hot sometimes by day and so damp and 
foggy in the evening. I shall be glad to go back again.” 

And you, Maria ? ” 

I shall be very happy there, father, but I like Venice 
best.” 

“ You are getting to an age to enjoy gayety, Maria ; and 
it is natural you should do so. However, it will not be 
necessary for you to be long absent. In a city like Venice 


104 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


there are always fresh subjects for talk, and the most ex- 
citing piece of scandal is but a three days^ wonder. A few 
weeks at Corfu will restore your nerves, which cannot but 
have been shaken by what you have gone through, and you 
will come back here more disposed than ever to appreciate 
the gayeties of Venice.” 

** As long as it is for only a few weeks, father, I shall 
not care ; for you know I am very fond, too, of our beauti- 
ful home there. Still I do like Venice.” 

They had now reached the steps of the Palazzo Polani. 
They had not proceeded by way of the Grand Canal, as the 
merchant was anxious that his daughters should reach 
their home unrecognized, as, had they been noticed, it 
would have given rise to no little excitement, and they had 
had more than enough of this, and needed quiet and repose. 
Besides, until the prisoners were in the safe custody of the 
officials of the state it was in every way desirable that the 
events of the morning should remain unknowm. 

Their return home created quite a tumult of joy in the 
house. The preparations that had been made had been 
kept a profound secret, as the merchant could not be sure 
but that some other member of his household was in the 
pay of Mocenigo. Thus until the girls alighted at the 
steps none in the house were aware that any clue had been 
obtained as to their hiding-place. The women ran down 
with cries of joy ; the men would have shouted and 
cheered, had not Polani held up his hand. 

** The signoras have had more than enough excitement,” 
he said. They are grateful to you for your good will and 
affection, but for the present they need quiet. They may 
have more to go through to-day. I pray you that no 
word as to their return be said ouside the house. I would 
not that the news were whispered in the city till the seign- 
ory decide what is to be done in the matter.” 

As soon as the girls had gone upstairs to their rooms the 
ship^s boat came alongside and the prisoners were carried 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


105 


into the house, glances of indignation and anger being cast 
at the gouvernante, who had, as soon as she was placed on 
board the boat, closely veiled herself ; and some of the 
women broke out into threats and imprecations. 

Captain Lontano, the servants will show you a room 
where your men can guard the prisoners. You had better 
remain with them yourself. Let no one except your own 
men enter the room." 

Giuseppi was on the steps, and Francis stepped up to 
Liim and eagerly asked, What news of the gondola ? " 

I found her stove in and full of water behind the piles 
close to the steps. Some one must have pushed her there 
to be out of the way of the traffic. She has several holes 
in her bottom, besides being stove in at the gunwale where 
the other back struck her. They must have thrust the 
ends of their oars through her planks out of sheer spite 
when they found that we had escaped them. Father and 
I have towed her round to your steps, but I doubt whether 
she is worth repairing." 

Well, we canT help it, Giuseppi. She has done her 
work ; and if every two ducats I lay out were to bring in 
as good a harvest I should have no reason to complain." 

Having seen the prisoners safely placed, the merchant 
returned. 

I think, Francisco, you must go with me. They will 
be sure to want to question you." 

I shall have to say what were my reasons for thinking 
your daughters were hid in that hut, signor," Francis 
said as the gondola rowed toward St. Markus ; and I can 
only do that by telling of that secret meeting. I do not 
want to denounce a number of people besides Ruggiero. 
I have no evidence against them, and do not know what 
they were plotting, nor have I any wish to create for 
myself more enemies. It is quite enough to have incurred 
the enmity of all the connections of the house of Moce- 
nigo." 


106 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


** That is true enough, Francisco, but I do not see how 
it is to be avoided ; unfortunately you did recognize others 
besides Kuggiero/^ 

Quite so, signor, and I am not going to tell a lie about 
it, whatever the consequences may be ; still I wish I could 
get out of it/^ 

I wish you could, Francis, but I do not see any escape 
for it, especially as you say you did not recognize Kuggiero 
as the passenger you carried/^ 

'^No, signor, I did not ; it might have been he, but I 
cannot say ; he was wrapped in a cloak, and I did not see 
his features/’ 

It is a pity, Francisco, for had you known him the 
statement that, moved by curiosity, you followed him and 
saw him into that hut, would have been sufficient without 
your entering into the other matter. Most of my country- 
men would not hesitate about telling a lie to avoid mixing 
themselves up further in such a matter, for the dangers of 
making enemies are thoroughly appreciated here ; but you 
are perfectly right, and I like your steady love of the truth 
whatever the consequences to yourself ; but certainly, as 
soon as the matter is concluded, it will be better for you to 
quit Venice for a time.” 

Are you going to the council direct, signor ?” 

No ; I am going first to the magistrates to tell them 
that I have in my hands five persons who have been en- 
gaged in carrying off my daughters, and beg them to send 
at once to take them into their custody ; then I shall go 
before the council and demand justice upon Mocenigo, 
against whom we have now conclusive evidence. You will 
not be wanted at the magistracy ; my own evidence that I 
found them keeping guard over my daughters will be quite 
sufficient for the present, and after that the girls’ evi- 
dence will be sufficient to convict them without your name 
appearing in the affair at all. I will try whether I cannot 
keep your name from appearing before the council also. 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


lOT 

Yes, I think I might do that ; and as a first step I give 
you my promise not to name you unless I find it absolutely 
necessary. You may as well remain here in the gondola 
until I return.” 

It was upward of an hour before Signor Polani came 
back to the boat. 

I have succeeded,” he said, in keeping your name out 
of it. I first of all told my daughters^ story, and then 
said that, having obtained information that Ruggiero, be- 
fore he was banished from Venice, was in the habit of go- 
ing sometimes at night to a hut on San Nicolo, I proceeded 
thither, and found my daughters concealed in the hut 
whose position had been described to me. Of course they 
inquired where I had obtained the information ; but I re- 
plied that, as they knew, I had offered a large reward 
which would lead to my daughters^ discovery, and that 
this reward had attracted one in the secret of Mocenigo, 
but that for the man^s own safety I had been compelled to 
promise that I would not divulge his name. 

Some of the council were inclined to insist, but others 
pointed out that for the ends of justice it mattered in no 
way how I obtained the information. I had at any rate 
gone to the island and found my daughters there ; and 
their evidence, if it was in accordance with what I had 
stated, was amply sufficient to bring the guilt of the ab- 
duction of my daughters home to Ruggiero, against whom 
other circumstances had already excited suspicion. A 
galley has already started for the mainland with orders to 
bring him back a prisoner, and the girls are to appear to 
give evidence to-morrow ; the woman Castaldi is to be in- 
terrogated by the council this afternoon, and I have no 
doubt she will make a full confession, seeing that my 
daughters^ evidence is in itself sufficient to prove her guilt, 
and that it can be proved from other sources that it was: 
she who inveigled them away by a false message from 
me.” 


108 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


I am glad indeed, signor, that I am not to be called, 
and that this affair of the conspiracy is not to be brought 
up. I would with your permission now return home. 
Giuseppi took a message to my father from me the first 
thing explaining my absence, and I told him when we left 
your house to go at once to tell him that your daughters 
had been recovered, and that I should return before long. 
Still he will want to hear from me as to the events of the 
night. 

Will you also tell him, Francisco, that I will call upon 
him this afternoon. I have much to say to him.^' 

I am glad Signor Polani is coming, Mr. Hammond 
said when his son gave him the message. I am quite re- 
solved that you shall quit Venice at once. I do not wish 
to blame you for what you have done, which, indeed, ;is 
likely to have a favorable effect upon your fortunes ; btit 
that at your age you have mixed yourself up in adventur<i8 
of this kind, taken part in the affairs of great houses, and 
drawn upon yourself the enmity of one of the most power- 
ful families of Venice, is altogether strange and improper 
for a lad of your years and belonging to the family of a 
quiet trader. I have been thinking about it all this morn- 
ing, and am quite resolved that the sooner you are out of 
Venice the better ; if I saw any way of sending you off be- 
fore nightfall I would do so. 

Signor Polani has, you say, so far concealed from the 
council the fact that you have been mixed up in this busi- 
ness ; but there is no saying how soon it may come out. 
You know that Venice swarms with spies, and these are 
likely before many hours to learn the fact of your midnight 
arrival at Polani^s house ; and as no orders were given for 
the preparation of this expedition to the island before that 
time, it will not need much penetration to conclude that 
you were the bearer of the news that led to the discovery of 
the maidens ; besides which, you accompanied the expedi- 
tion and acted as its guide to the hut. Part of this they 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


109 


will learn from the servants of the house, part of it they 
may get out from the sailors, who, over their wine-cups, 
are not given to reticence. The council may not have 
pressed Polani on this point, but, take my word for it, 
some of them at least will endeavor to get to the bottom of 
it, especially Mocenigo’s connections, who will naturally 
be alarmed at the thought that there is somewhere a traitor 
among their own ranks. 

The affair has become very serious, Francis, and far 
beyond the compass of a boyish scrape, and no time must 
be lost in getting you out of Venice. I have no doubt 
Polani will see the matter in the same light, for he knows 
the ways of his countrymen even better than I do." 

The interview between the two traders was a long one ; 
at its conclusion Francis was sent for. 

Francis," his father said, Signor Polani has had the 
kindness to make me offers of a most generous nature." 

^^Not at all, Messer Hammond," the Venetian inter- 
rupted ; ^^let there be no mistake upon that score. Your 
Bon has rendered me services impossible for me ever to 
repay adequately. He has laid me under an obligation 
greater than I can ever discharge. At the same time, for- 
tunately, I am in a position to be able to further his in- 
terests in life. I have proposed, Francisco, that you shall 
enter my house at once. You will, of course, fo^ some years 
learn the business, but you will do so in the position which 
a son of mine would occupy, and when you come of age 
you will take your place as a partner with me. 

Your father will return to England. He informs me 
that he is now longing to return to his own country, and 
has for some time been thinking of doing so. I have pro- 
posed to him that he shall act as my agent there. Hither- 
to, I have not traded direct with England ; in future I 
shall do so largely. Your father has explained to me 
somewhat of his transactions, and I see there is a good 
profit to be made on trade with London by a merchant 


no 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


who has the advantage of the advice and assistance of one, 
like your father, thoroughly conversant in the trade. 
Thus I hope that the arrangement will be largely to our 
mutual advantage. As to yourself, you will probably be 
reluctant to establish yourself for life in this country ; 
but there is no reason why in time, when your father 
wishes to retire from business, you should not establish 
yourself in London in charge of the English branch of 
our house.” 

am most grateful to you for your offer, signor, which 
is vastly beyond anything that my ambition could ever 
have aspired to. I can only say that I will try my best to 
do justice to your kindness to me. ” 

I have no fear as to that, Francisco,” the merchant 
said; ^‘you have shown so much thoughtfulness in this 
business that I shall have no fear of intrusting even 
weighty affairs of business in your hands ; and you must 
remember always that I shall still consider myself your 
debtor. I thoroughly agree with your father's views as to 
the necessity for your leaving Venice as soon as possible. 
In a few months this matter will have blown over, the 
angry feelings excited will calm down, and you will then 
be able to come and go in safety ; but at present you 
were best out of the town, and I have therefore arranged 
with your father that you shall embark to-night on board 
the Bonito, which sails to-morrow. You will have much 
to say to your father now, but I hope you will find time 
to come round and say good-bye to my daughters this 
evening,” 

Your adventures, Francis,” Mr. Hammond said when 
the merchant had left them, have turned out fortunate 
indeed. You have an opening now beyond anything we 
could have hoped for. Signor Polani has expressed him- 
self most warmly. He told me that I need concern 
myself no further with your future, for that would now be 
his affair. The arrangement that he has made with me 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


Ill 


will enable me to hold my head as high as any in the City, 
for it will give me almost a monopoly of the Venetian 
trade ; and although he said that he had long been think- 
ing of entering into trade direct with England, there is no 
doubt that it is his feeling toward you which has influ- 
enced him now in the matter. 

My business here has more than answered my expecta- 
tions in one respect, but has fallen short in another. I 
have bought cheaply, and the business should have been a 
very profltable one ; but my partner in London is either 
not acting fairly by me, or he is mismanaging matters alto- 
gether. This offer, then, of Signor Polani, is in every re- 
spect acceptable. I shall give up my own business and start 
anew, and selling, as I shall, on commission, shall run no 
risk, while the profits will be far larger than I could my- 
self make, for Polani will carry it on on a great scale. As 
for you, you will soon learn the ways of trade, and will be 
able to come home and join me, and eventually succeed me 
in the business. 

No fairer prospect could well open to a young man, 
and if you show yourself as keen in business as you have 
been energetic in the pursuits you have adopted, assuredly a 
great future is open to you, and you may look to be one 
of the greatest merchants in the city of London. I know 
not yet what offers Polani may make you here, but I hope 
that you will not settle in Venice permanently, but will 
always remember that you are an Englishman and the son 
of a London citizen, and that you will never lose your love 
for your native land. And yet do not hurry home for my 
sake. Your two brothers will soon have finished their 
schooling, and will, of course, be apprenticed to me as soon 
as I return ; and if, as I hope, they turn out steady and 
industrious they will, by the time they come to man^s es- 
tate, be of great assistance to me in the business. And 
now, you will be wanting to say good-bye to your friends. 
Be careful this last evening, for it is just when you are 


112 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


thinking most of other matters that sudden misfortune is 
likely to come upon you. 

Delighted with his good fortune — rather because it 
opened up a life of activity instead of the confinement to 
business that he had dreaded than for the pecuniary advan- 
tages it offered — Francis ran downstairs, and leaping into 
his father’s gondola told Beppo to take him to the Palazzo 
Giustiniani. On the way he told Beppo and his son that 
the next day he was leaving Venice, and was going to enter 
the service of Signor Polani. Giuseppi ceased rowing, and, 
throwing himself down at the bottom of the gondola, be- 
gan to sob violently, with the abandonment to his emo- 
tions common to his race ; then he suddenly sat up. 

If you are going, I will go too, Messer Francisco. 
You will want a servant who will be faithful to you. I 
will ask the padrone to let me go with you. You will let me 
go, will you not, father ? I cannot leave our young master, 
and should pine away were I obliged to stop here to work a 
gondola while he may be wanting my help, for Messer Fran- 
cisco is sure to get into adventures and dangers. Has he 
not done it here in Venice ? and is he not sure to do it at 
sea, where there are Genoese and pirates, and perils of all 
kinds ? You will take me with you, will you not, Messer 
Francisco ? You will never be so hard-hearted as to go 
away and leave me behind ? ” 

I shall be very glad to have you with me, Giuseppi, if 
your father will give you leave to go. I am quite sure that 
Signor Polani will make no objection. In the first place, he 
would do it to oblige me ; and in the second, I know that 
it is his intention to do something to your advantage. He 
has spoken to me about it several times, for you had your 
share of the danger when we first rescued his daughters, and 
again when we were chased by that four-oared gondola. He 
has been too busy with the search for his daughters to give 
the matter his attention, but I know that he is conscious of 
his obligation to you, and that he intends to reward you 


THE LION OF ST, MARE. 


113 


largely ; therefore, I am sure that he will offer no objec- 
tion to your accompanying me. What do you say, 
Beppo ? " 

‘‘I do not like to stand in the way of the lad^s wishes, 
Messer Francisco, but, you see, he is of an age now to he 
very useful to me. If Giuseppi leaves me I shall have to 
hire another hand for the gondola, or to take a partner.” 

** Well, we will talk it over presently,” Francis said. 

Here we are at the steps of the palazzo, and here cornea 
kllatteo himself. It is lucky I was not five minutes later, 
or I should have missed him,” 

8 


114 


. TRE LION OF ST. MARK. 


CHAPTER VII. 

ON’ BOARD A TRADER. 

Have you heard the news, Francisco ? My cousins 
are rescued ! I have been out this morning and have only 
just heard it, and I was on the point of starting to tell 
you."" 

Your news is old, Matteo. I knew it hours ago."" 

And I hear,"" Matteo went on, that Polani found them 
in a hut on San Nicolo. My father cannot think how 
he came to hear of their hiding-place ; he says Polani 
would not say how he learned the news. My father sup- 
poses he heard it from some member of Ruggiero"s house- 
hold."" 

Francis hesitated for a moment. He had at first been 
on the point of telling Matteo of the share he had had in 
the recovery of the girls ; but he thought that although 
his friend could be trusted not to repeat the news will- 
fully, he might accidentally say something which would 
lead to the fact being known, and that as Polani had 
strongly enjoined the necessity of keeping the secret, and 
had himself declined to mention, even to the council, the 
source from which he obtained his information, he would 
look upon him as a babbler and unworthy of trust did he 
find that Matteo had been let into the secret. 

It does not much matter who it is Polani learned the 
news from. The great point is he has found his daughters 
safe from all injury,, and I hear has brought back with him 
the woman who betrayed them. It is fortunate indeed 
that he took such prompt measures with Ruggiero, and 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 115 

thus prevented his escaping from the mainland and mak- 
ing off with the girls, as of course he intended to do/^ 

father tells me,” Matteo said, ^Hhat a state gon- 
dola has already been dispatched to bring Ruggiero a 
prisoner here, and that even his powerful connections will 
not save him from severe punishment, for public indigna- 
tion is so great at the attempt that his friends will not 
venture to plead on his behalf.” 

And now I have my bit of news to tell you, Matteo. 
Signor Polani has most generously offered me a position in 
his house, and I am to sail to-morrow in one of his ships 
for the East.” 

I congratulate you, Francisco, for I know from what 
you have often said that you would like this much better 
than going back to England. But it seems very sudden ; 
you did not know anything about it yesterday, and now 
you are going to start at once. Why, when can it have 
been settled ? Polani has been absent since daybreak, en- 
gaged in this matter of the girls, and has been occupied 
ever since with the council.” 

I have seen him since he returned,” Francis replied ; 
and though it was only absolutely settled this morning, 
he has had several interviews with my father on the sub- 
ject. I believe he and my father thought that it was better 
to get me away as soon as possible, as Ruggiero’s friends 
may put down the disgrace which has befallen him to my 
interference in his attempt to carry off the girls.” 

Well, I think you are a lucky fellow anyhow, Fran- 
cisco, and I hope that I may be soon doing something 
also. I shall speak to my father about it, and ask him to 
get Polani to let me take some voyages in his vessels, so 
that I may be fit to become an officer in one of the state 
galleys as soon as I am of age. Where are you going 
now ? ” 

I am going round to the School of Arms to say good- 
bye to our comrades ; after that I am going to Signor 


116 


THE LION OF ST. MASK. 


Polani^s to pay my respects to the signoras ; then I shall 
be at home with my father till it is time to go on board. 
He will have left here before I return from my voyage, as 
he is going to wind up his affairs at once and return to 
England. ’’ 

Well, I will accompany you to the school and to my 
cousin’s,” Matteo said. I shall miss you terribly here, 
and shall certainly do all I can to follow your example and 
get afloat. You may have all sorts of adventures, for we 
shall certainly be at war with Genoa before many weeks 
are over, and you will have to keep a sharp lookout for 
their war galleys. Polani’s ships are prizes worth taking, 
and you may have the chance of seeing the inside of a 
Genoese prison before you return.” 

After a visit to the School of Arms the two friends were 
rowed to Signor Polani’s. The merchant himself was out, 
but they were at once shown up to the room where the 
girls were sitting. 

My dear cousins,” Matteo said as he entered, I am 
delighted to see you back safe and well. All Venice is 
talking of your return. You are the heroines of the day. 
You do not know what an excitement there has been over 
your adventure.” 

The sooner people get to talk about something else 
the better, Matteo,” Maria said, for we shall have to be 
prisoners all day till something else occupies their atten- 
tion. We have not the least desire to be pointed at, when- 
ever we go out, as the maidens who were carried away. 
If the Venetians were so interested in us, they had much 
better have set about discovering where we were hidden 
away before.” 

But every one did try, I can assure you, Maria. Every 
place has been ransacked, high and low. Every gondo- 
lier has been questioned and cross- questioned as to his 
doings on that day. Every fishing village has been visited. 
Never was inch a searoh, I do believe. But who could 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


117 


have thought of your being hidden away all the time at 
San Nicolo ! As for me, I have spent most of my time 
in a gondola, going out and staring up at every house I 
passed, in hopes of seeing a handkerchief waved from a 
casement. And so has Francisco ; he has been just as 
busy in the search as any one, I can assure you.'^ 

** Francisco is different,^’ Maria said, not observing the 
signs Francis was making for her to be silent. ^^Fran- 
cisco has got eyes in his head and a brain in his skull, 
which is more, it seems, than any of the Venetians have ; 
and had he not brought father to our hiding-place, there 
we should have remained until Ruggiero Mocenigo came 
and carried us away.” 

Francisco brought your father the news ! ” Matteo ex- 
claimed in astonishment. ^^Why, was it he who found 
you out, after all ? ” 

^^Did you not know that, Matteo? Of course it was 
Francisco ! As I told you, he has got brains ; and if it 
had not been for him we should certainly never have been 
rescued. Giulia and I owe him everything — don’t we, 
Giulia?” 

Forgive me for not telling you, Matteo,” Francis said 
to his astonished friend ; but Signor Polani and my 
father both impressed upon me so strongly that I should 
keep silent as to my share in the business that I thought 
it better not even to mention it to you at present. It was 
purely the result of an accident.” 

It was nothing of the sort,” Maria said ; it was the 
result of your keeping your eyes open and knowing how to 
put two and two together. I did not know, Francisco, 
that it was a secret. We have not seen our father since 
we have returned, and I suppose he thought we should see 
nobody until he saw us again, and so did not tell us that we 
were not to mention your name in the affair ; but we will 
be careful in future.” 

^'But how was it, Francisco?” Matteo asked. "'Now 


118 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


I know so much as this, I suppose I can be told the rest. 
I can understand well enough why it was to he kept a 
secret, and why my cousin is anxious to get you out of 
Venice at once.” 

Francis related the manner in which he first became ac- 
quainted with the existence of the hut on the island and 
the fact of its being frequented by Euggiero Mocenigo, and 
how, on catching sight of the gouvernante in a gondola, 
and seeing her make out across the lagoons, the idea struck 
him that the girls were confined in the hut. 

It is all very simple, you see, Matteo,” he concluded, 
will never say anything against learning to row a 
gondola in future,” Matteo said, for it seems to lead to 
all sorts of adventures ; and unless you could have rowed 
well, you would never have got back to tell the story. But 
it is certain that it is a good thing you are leaving Venice 
for a time, for Kuggiero^s friends may find out the share 
you had in it from some of my cousin’s servants. You 
may be sure that they will do their best to discover how 
he came to be informed of the hiding-place, and he is 
'luite right to send you off at once.” 

^^What ! are you going away, Francisco ?” the two 
girls exclaimed together. 

I am sailing to-morrow in one of your father’s ships, 
lignoras.” 

And you are not coming back again ? ” Maria ex- 
claimed. 

I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you again be- 
fore very long, signora. I am entering your father’s 
service for good, and shall be backward and forward to 
Venice as the ship comes and goes. My father is return- 
ing to England, and Signor Polani has most kindly re- 
quested me to make my home with him whenever I am in 
port.” 

^"That is better,” Maria said. ^^We should have a 
pretty quarrel with papa if he had let you go away alto- 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 119 

gether, after what you have done for us — shouldn't we, 
Giulia ? 

But Giulia had walked away to the window, and did not 
seem to hear the question. 

^"That will be very pleasant," Maria went on; ^^for 
you will he back every two or three months, and I shall 
take good care that papa does not send the ship off in a 
hurry again. It will be almost as good as having a brother ; 
and I look upon you almost as a brother now, Francisco — 
and a very good brother too. I don^t think that man will 
molest us any more. If I thought there was any chance 
of it, I should ask papa to keep you for a time, because I 
should feel confident that you would manage to protect 
us somehow." 

I do not think there is the slightest chance of more 
trouble from him," Francis said. He is sure of a long 
term of imprisonment for carrying you off." 

That is the least they can do to him, I should think," 
Maria said indignantly. I certainly shall not feel com- 
fortable while he is at large." 

After half an hour^s talk Francis and his friend took 
their leave. 

You certainly were born with a silver spoon in your 
mouth," Matteo said as they took their seats in the gon- 
dola, ^^and my cousin does well to get you out of Venice 
at once, for I can tell you there are scores of young fel- 
lows who would feel jealous at your position with my 
cousins." 

Nonsense!" Francis said, coloring. How can you 
talk so absurdly, Matteo ? I am only a boy, and it will 
be years before I could think of marriage. Besides, your 
cousins are said to be the richest heiresses in Venice ; and 
it is not because I have been able to be of some slight 
service to them that I should venture to think of either 
of them in that way." 

shall see," Matteo laughed. Maria is a little 


120 


THE LION OF ST, MARK, 


too old for yon, I grant, but Giulia will do very well ; and 
as you have already come, as Maria says, to be looked upon 
by them as a brother and protector, there is no saying as 
to how she may regard you in another two or three years/’ 

‘‘The thing is absurd, Matteo,” Francis said impa- 
tiently ; “do not talk such nonsense any more/’ 

Matteo lay back in his seat and whistled. 

“ I will say no more about it at present, Francisco,” he 
said, after a pause ; “ but I must own that I should be 
well content to stand as high in the good graces of my 
pretty cousins as you do.” 

The next morning Francis spent some time with his 
father talking over future arrangements. 

“ I have no doubt that I shall see you sometimes, 
Francis ; for Polani will be sure to give you an opportu- 
nity of making a trip to England from time to time, in one 
of his ships trading thither. Unless anything unexpected 
happens, your future appears assured. Polani tells me he 
shall always regard you in the light of a son ; and I have 
no fear of your doing anything to cause him to forfeit his 
good opinion of you. Do not be over adventurous, for 
even in a merchant ship there are many perils to be met 
with. Pirates swarm in the Mediterranean, in spite of 
the efforts of Venice to suppress them ; and when war is 
going on, both Venice and Genoa send out numbers of 
ships whose doings savor strongly of piracy. Kemember 
that the first duty of the captain of a merchant ship is to 
save his vessel and cargo, and that he should not think of 
fighting unless he sees no other method of escape open to 
him. 

“It is possible that, after a time, I may send one of 
your brothers out here, but that will depend upon what I 
find of their disposition when I get home ; for it will be 
worse than useless to send a lad of a headstrong disposi- 
tion out to the care of one but a few years older than him- 
self, But this we can talk about when you come over to 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


121 


England, and we see what position you are occupying 
here. I fear that Venice is about to enter upon a period 
of great difficulty and danger. There can be little doubt 
lhat Genoa, Padua, and Hungary are leagued against her ; 
and powerful as she is, and great as are her resources, 
they will be .taxed to the utmost to carry her through the 
dangers that threaten her. However, I have faith in her 
future, and believe that she will weather the storm, as she 
has done many that have preceded it. 

Venice has the rare virtue of endurance — the greatest 
dangers, the most disastrous defeats, fail to shake her 
courage, and only arouse her to greater efforts. In this 
respect she is in the greatest contrast to her rival, Genoa, 
who always loses heart the moment the tide turns against 
her. No doubt this is due, in no slight extent, to her 
oligarchic form of government. The people see the nobles, 
who rule them, calm and self-possessed, however great the 
danger, and remain confident and tranquil ; while in 
Genoa each misfortune is the signal for a struggle between 
contending factions. The occasion is seized to throw 
blame and contumely upon those in power, and the people 
give way to alternate outbursts of rage and depression. 

I do not say there are no faults in the government of 
Venice, but taking her altogether there is no govern- 
ment in Europe to compare with it. During the last three 
hundred years the history of every other city in Italy, I 
may say of every other nation in Europe, is one long rec- 
ord of intestine struggle and bloodshed, while in Venice 
there has not been a single popular tumult worthy of the 
name. It is to the strength, the firmness, and the modera- 
tion of her government that Venice owes her advance- 
ment, the respect in which she is held among nations, as 
much as to the commercial industry of her people. 

She alone among nations could for years have with- 
stood the interdict of the pope, or the misfortunes that have 
sometimes befallen her. She alone has never felt the foot 


122 


THE LION OF ST. MARE. 


of the invader, or bent her neck beneath a foreign yoke to 
preserve her existence. Here, save only in matters of gov- 
ernment, all opinions are free, strangers of all nationalities 
are welcome. It is a grand city and a grand people,. 
Francis, and though I shall be glad to return to England 
I cannot but feel regret at leaving it. And now, my hoy, 
it is time to be going oif to your ship. Polani said she 
would sail at ten o^clock. It is now nine, and it will take 
you half an hour to get there. I am glad to hear that 
Giuseppi is going with you ; the lad is faithful and at- 
tached to you, and may be of service. Your trunk has 
already been sent on board, so let us be going.” 

On arriving at the ship, which was lying in the port of 
Malamocco, they found that she was just ready for sailing, 
the last bales of goods were being hoisted on board, and 
the sailors were preparing to loosen the sails. 

The Bonito was a large vessel, built for stowage rather 
than speed. She carried two masts with large square sails, 
and before the wind would probably proceed at a fair rate ; 
but the art of sailing closehauled was then unknown, and 
in the event of the wind being unfavorable she would be 
forced either to anchor or to depend upon her oars, of 
which she rowed fifteen on either side. As they mounted 
on to the deck they were greeted by Polani himself. 

‘^I have come off to see the last of your son, Messer 
Hammond, and to make sure that my orders for his com- 
fort have been carried out. Captain Corpadio, this is the 
young gentleman of whom I have spoken to you, and who 
is to be treated in all respects as if he were my son. You 
will instruct him in all matters connected with the navi- 
gation of the ship, as well as in the mercantile portion of 
the business, the best methods of buying and selling, the 
prices of goods and the methods of payment. This is 
your cabin, Francisco.” 

He opened the door of a roomy cabin in the poop of the 
ship. It was fitted up with every luxury. 


THE LION OF ST. MAEK. 


123 


Thank yon very much indeed. Signor Polani,^^ Francis 
said. The only fault is that it is too comfortable. I 
would as lief have roughed it as other aspirants have to do.^^ 
There was no occasion, Francisco. When there is 
rough work to be done you will, I have no doubt, do it ; 
but as you are going to be a trader, and not a sailor, there 
is no occasion that you should do so more than is neces- 
sary. You will learn to command a ship just as well as if 
you began by dipping your hands in tar. And it is well 
that you should learn to do this, for unless a man can sail 
a vessel himself he is not well qualified to judge of the 
merits of men he appoints to be captains ; but you must 
remember that you are going as a representative of my 
house, and must, therefore, travel in accordance with that 
condition. You will be sorry to hear that bad news has 
just been received from the mainland. The state galley 
sent to fetch Euggiero Mocenigo has arrived with the news 
that on the previous night a strong party of men, who are 
believed to have come from Padua, fell upon the guard 
and carried off Euggiero. My sailors came up and fought 
stoutly, but they were overpowered, and several of them 
were killed ; so Euggiero is again at large. 

^^This is a great disappointment to me. Though the 
villain is not likely to show his face in the Venetian territory 
again, I shall be anxious until Maria is safely married, and 
shall lose no time in choosing a husband for her. Unless 
I am mistaken, her liking is turned in the direction of 
Eufino, brother of your friend Matteo Giustiniani, and as 
I like none better among the suitors for her hand, me- 
thinks that by the time you return you will find that they 
are betrothed. And now I hear the sailors are heaving the 
anchor, and therefore, Messer Hammond, it is time we 
took to our boats. 

There was a parting embrace between Francis and his 
father. Then the merchants descended into their gondo- 
las, and lay waiting alongside until the anchor was up, the 


124 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


great sails shaken out, and the Bonito began to moYO 
slowly through the water toward the entrance of the port ; 
then, with a final wave of the hand, the gondolas rowed 
off, and Francis turned to look at his surroundings. The 
first object that met his eye was Giuseppi, who was stand- 
ing near him waving his cap to his father. 

Well, Giuseppi, what do you think of this ? ” 

I don^t know what to think yet, Messer Francisco ; it 
all seems so big and solid one does not feel as if one was on 
the water, its more like living in a house. It does not 
seem as if anything could move her.^^ 

You will find the waves can move her about when we 
get fairly to sea, Giuseppi, and the time will come when 
you will think our fast gondola was a steady craft in com- 
parison. How long have you been on hoard ? 

I came off three hours ago, signor, with the boat that 
brought the furniture for your cabin. I have been putting 
that to rights since. A supply of the best wine has been 
sent off, and extra stores of all sorts, so you need not be 
afraid of being starved on the voyage.” 

I wish he hadn't sent so much,” Francis said ; it 
makes one feel like a milksop. Whose cabin is it I ha^e 
got?” 

I believe that it is the cabin usually used by the super- 
cargo who is in charge of the goods and does the trading, 
but the men say the captain of this ship has been a great 
many years in Polani's employment, and often sails with- 
out a supercargo, being able to manage the trading per- 
fectly well by himself ; but the usual cabin is only half the 
size of yours, and two have been thrown into one to make 
it light and airy.” 

And where do you sleep, Giuseppi ? ” 

I am going to sleep in the passage outside your dooi‘, 
Messer Francisco.” 

Oh, but I shan't like that ! ” Francis said ; you 
ought to have a better place than that.” 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


125 


Giuseppi laughed. 

^"Why, Messer Francisco, considering that half my 
time I slept in the gondola, and the other half on some 
straw in our kitchen, I shall do capitally. Of course I 
could sleep in the fo’castle with the crew if I liked, but I 
should find it hot and stifling there. I chose the place 
myself, and asked the captain if I could sleep there, and 
he has given me leave." 

In an hour the Bonito had passed through the Malamocco 
Channel and was out on the broad sea. The wind was 
very light, and but just sufficient to keep the great sails 
bellied out. The sailors were all at work, coiling down 
ropes, washing the decks, and making everything clean 
and tidy. 

This a good start, Messer Hammond," the captain 
said, coming up him ; if this wind holds we shall be able 
to make our course round the southern point of Greece 
and then on to Candia, which is our first port. I always 
like a light breeze when I first go out of port, it gives time 
for every one to get at home and have things ship-shape 
before we begin to get lively." 

She does not look as if she would ever get lively," 
Francis said, looking at the heavy vessel. 

She is lively enough in the storm, I can tell you," the 
captain said, laughing ; when she once begins to roll 
she does it in earnest, but she is a fine sea boat, and I have 
no fear of gales. I wish I could say as much of pirates ; 
however, she has always been fortunate, and as we carry a 
stout crew she could give a good account of herself against 
any of the small piratical vessels that swarm among the 
islands, although, of course, if she fell in with two or three 
of them together it would be awkward." 

How many men do you carry altogether, captain ?" 

^^Just seventy. You see she rows thirty oars, and in 
case of need we put two men to each oar, and though 
she doesn't look fast she can get along at a fine rate when 


126 


THE LION OF ST MARK. 


the oars are double-banked. We have shown them our 
heels many a time, for our orders are strict, we are never 
to fight if we can get away by running." 

But I suppose you have to fight sometimes ? " Francis 
asked. 

Yes, I have been in some tough fights several times, 
though not in the Bonito, which was only built last year. 
Once in the Lion we were attacked by three pirates. We 
were at anchor in a bay, and the wind was blowing on the 
shore, when they suddenly came round the headland, so 
there was no chance of running, and we had to fight it 
out. We fought for five hours before they sheered off 
pretty well crippled, and one of them in flames, for we 
carried Greek fire. 

Three or four times they nearly got a footing on deck, 
but we managed to beat them off somehow. We lost a 
third of our crew. I donT think there was a man escaped 
without a wound. I was laid up for three months after I 
got home with a slash on my shoulder, which pretty nigh 
took off my left arm. However, we saved the ship and 
the cargo, which was a valuable one, and Messer Polani 
saw that no one was the worse for his share in the business. 
There’s no more liberal-hearted man in the trade than he 
is, and whatever may be the scarcity of hands in the port 
there is never any diflSculty in getting a good crew together 
for his vessels. 

Of course there are the roughs with the smooths. 
Some years ago I was in prison for six months with all my 
crew in Azoff. It was the work of those rascally Genoese, 
who are always doing us a bad turn when they have the 
chance, even when we are at peace with them. They set 
the mind of the native khan — that is the prince of the 
country — against us by some lying stories that we had been 
engaged in smuggling goods in at another port. And 
suddenly, in the middle of the night, in marched his sol- 
diers on board my ship and two other Venetian craft lying 


THE LION OF ST. MABK. 


127 


in the harbor, and took possession of them, and shut 
ns all up in prison. There we were till Messer Polani got 
news and sent out another ship to pay the fine demanded. 
That was no joke, I can tell you, for the prison was so hot 
and crowded, and the food so bad, that we got fever, and 
pretty near half of us died before our ransom came. Then 
at Constantinople the Genoese stirred the people up against 
us once or twice, and all the sailors ashore had to fight 
for their lives. Those Genoese are always doing us mis- 
chief. 

But I suppose you do them mischief sometimes, cap- 
tain ? I imagine it isnT all on one side ? 

Of course we pay them out when we get a chance,^ 
the captain replied. It isnT likely we are going to stand 
being always put upon,, and not take our chance when it 
comes. We only want fair trade and no favor, while those 
rascals want it all to themselves. They know they have 
no chance with us when it comes to fair trading." 

‘^You know, captain, that the Genoese say just the 
same things about the Venetians that the Venetians do 
about them. So I expect that there are faults on both 
sides." 

The captain laughed. 

I suppose each want to have matters their own way, 
Messer Hammond, but I donT consider the Genoese have 
any right to come interfering with us to the eastward of 
Italy. They have got France and Spain to trade with, 
and all the western parts of Italy. Why donT they keep 
there ? Besides, I look upon them as landsmen. Why, 
we can always lick them at sea in a fair fight." 

Generally, captain ; I admit you generally thrash 
them ; still, you know they have sometimes got the better 
of you, even when the force was equal." 

The captain grunted. He could not deny the fact. 

Sometimes our captains donT do their duty," he said. 

They put a lot of young patricians in command of the 


128 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


galleys, men that don’t know one end of a ship from the 
other, and then, of course, we get the worst of it. But 
I maintain that, properly fought, a Venetian ship is always 
more than a match for a Genoese.” 

I think she generally is, captain, and I hope it will 
always prove so in the future. You see, though I am Eng- 
lish I have lived long enough in Venice to feel like a Vene- 
tian.” 

have never been to England,” the captain said, 
though a good many Venetian ships go there every year. 
They tell me it’s an island, like Venice, only a deal bigger 
than any we have got in the Mediterranean. Those who 
have been there say the sea is mighty stormy, and that sail- 
ing up from Spain you get tremendous tempests sometimes, 
with the waves ever so much bigger than we have here, 
and longer and more regular, but not so trying to the ships 
as the short sharp gales of these seas.” 

I believe that is so, captain, though I don’t know any- 
thing about it myself. It is some years since I came out, 
and our voyage was a very calm one.” 

Three days of quiet sailing and the Bonito rounded the 
headlands of the Morea, and shaped her course to Candia. 
The voyage was a very pleasant one to Francis. Each day 
the captain brought out the list of cargo and instructed 
him in the prices of each description of goods, told him of 
the various descriptions of merchandise which they would 
be likely to purchase at the different ports at which they 
were to touch, and the prices which they would probably 
have to pay for them. 

A certain time, too, was devoted each day to the exam- 
ination of the charts of the various ports and islands, the 
captain pointing out the marks which were to be observed 
on entering and leaving the harbors, the best places for 
anchorage, and the points where shelter could be obtained 
should high winds come on. 

After losing sight of the Morea the weather changed. 


TEE LION OF ST. MARK. 


129 


clouds banked up rapidly in the southwest, and the cap- 
tain ordered the great sails to be furled. 

We are going to have a serious gale/’ he said to Fran- 
cis, which is unusual at this period of the year. I have 
thought for the last two days we were going to have a 
change, but I hoped to have reached Candia before the 
gale burst upon us. I fear that this will drive us off our 
course.” 

By evening it was blowing hard, and the sea got up 
rapidly. The ship speedily justified the remarks of the 
captain on her power of rolling, and the oars, at which the 
men had been laboring since the sails were furled, were 
laid in. 

It is impossible to keep our course,” the captain said, 
and we must run up among the islands, and anchor un- 
der the lee of one of them. I should recommend you to 
get into your bed as soon as possible, you have not learned 
to keep your legs in a storm. I see that lad of yours is 
very ill already, but as you show no signs of suffering thus 
far you will probably escape.” 

It was some time, however, before Francis went below. 
The scene was novel to him, and he was astonished at the 
sight of the waves, and at the manner in which they tossed 
the great ship about, as if she were an eggshell ; but when 
it became quite dark, and he could see nothing but the 
white crests of the waves and the foam that flew high in 
the air every time the bluff bows of the ship plunged down 
into a hollow, he took the captain’s advice and retired to 
his cabin. He was on deck again early. A gray mist over- 
hung the water ; the -sea was of a leaden color, crested with 
white heads ; the waves were far higher than they had been 
on the previous evening, and as they came racing along 
behind the Bonito each crest seemed as if it would rise 
over her stern and overwhelm her ; but this apprehension 
was soon dispelled, as he saw how lightly the vessel rose 
each time. Although showing but a very small breadth of 
f 


130 


THE LION OF ST, MARK. 


sail, she was running along at a great rate, leaving a white 
streak of foam behind her. The captain was standing near 
the helm, and Francis made his way to him. 

Well, captain, and how are you getting on, and where 
are we ? he asked cheerfully. 

^^We are getting on well enough, Messer Francisco, as 
you can see for yourself. The Bonito is as good a sea boat 
as ever floated, and would not care for the wind were it 
twice as strong as it is. It is not the storm I am thinking 
about, but the islands. If we were down in the Mediter- 
ranean I could turn into my cot and sleep soundly ; but 
here it is another matter. We are somewhere up among 
the islands, but where no man can say. The wind has 
shifted a bit two or three times during the night, and, as 
we are obliged to run straight before it, there is no calcu- 
lating to within a few miles where we are. I have tried to 
edge out to the westward as much as I could, but with this 
wind blowing and the height of the ship out of water, we 
sag away to leeward so fast that nothing is gained by it. 

According to my calculation we cannot be very far 
from the west coast of Mitylene. If the clouds would but 
lift and give us a look round for two minutes we should 
know all about it, as I know the outline of every island in 
the ^gean ; and as over on this side you are always in 
sight of two or three of them, I should know all about it 
if I could get a view of the land. Now, for aught we 
know, we may be running straight down upon some rocky 
coast. 

The idea was not a pleasant one, and Francis strained 
his eyes, gazing through the mist. 

What should we do if we saw land, captain ? " he asked 
presently. 

Get out the oars, row her head round, and try to work 
either to the right or left, whichever point of land seemed 
easiest to weather. Of course if it was the mainland we 
were being driven on there would be no use, and we should 



The Captain was standing near the helm, and Francis made his way to 
L St M ] HIM- — Pag^e 130, 



J 



THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


131 


try and row into the teeth of the gale, so as to keep her off 
land as long as possible, in the hope of the wind dropping. 
When we get into shallow water we shall drop our anchors 
and still keep on rowing to lessen the strain upon them. 
If they gave, there would be an end to the Bonito. But 
if, as I think, we are driving toward Mitylene, there is a 
safe harbor on this side of the island, and I shall certainly 
run into it. It is well sheltered and landlocked.” 

Two more hours passed, and then there was a startling 
transformation. The clouds broke suddenly and cleared 
off, as if by magic, and the sun streamed brightly out. 
The wind was blowing as strong as ever, but the change 
in the hue of sky and sea would at once have raised the 
spirits of the tired crew had not a long line of land been 
seen stretching ahead of them at a distance of four or 
five miles. 

Just as I thought,” the captain exclaimed as he saw it. 

That is Mitylene sure enough, and the entrance to the 
harbor I spoke of lies away there on that beam.” 

The oars were at once got out, the sail braced up a little,, 
and the Bonito made for the point indicated by the cap- 
tain, who himself took the helm. Another half-hour and 
they were close to land. Francis could see no sign of a 
port, but in a few minutes the Bonito rounded the end of 
a low island and a passage opened before her. She passed 
through this and found herself in still water, in a harbor 
large enough to hold the fleet of Venice. The anchor was 
speedily let drop. 

It seems almost bewildering,” Francis said, the hush 
and quiet here after the turmoil of the storm outside. To* 
whom does Mitylene belong ? ” 

The Genoese have a trading station and a castle at the 
other side of the island, but it belongs to Constantinople. 
The other side of the island is rich and fertile, but this, as 
you see, is mountainous and barren. The people have not a 
very good reputation, and if we had been wrecked we should 


132 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


have been plundered, if not murdered. You see those two 
vessels lying close to the shore, near the village ? They 
are pirates when they get a chance, you may be quite sure ; 
in fact, these islands swarm with them. Venice does all 
she can to keep them down, but the Genoese and the 
Hungarians and the rest of them keep her so busy that she 
has no time to take the matter properly in hand, and make 
a clean sweep of them." 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


133 


CHAPTER VIII. 

AJT ATTACK BY PIRATES. 

A BOAT was lowered, and the captain went ashore with a 
strong crew, all armed to the teeth. Francis accompanied 
him. The natives were sullen in their manner, but ex- 
pressed a willingness to trade, and to exchange hides and 
wine for cloth. 

We may as well do a little barter, ^Hhe captain said, as 
they rowed back toward the ship. The port is not often 
visited, and the road across the island is hilly and rough, 
so they ought to be willing to sell their goods cheaply. 

They did not seem pleased to see us, nevertheless,^^ 
Francis said. 

^^Ho; you see the Genoese have got a footing in the 
island, and of course they represent us to the natives as 
being robbers, who would take their island if we got the 
chance. All round these coasts and islands the people are 
partisans either of Venice or Genoa ; they care very little 
for Constantinople, although they form part of the empire. 
Constantinople taxes them heavily, and is too weak to af- 
ford them protection. Of course they are Greeks, but the 
Greeks of the islands have very little in common, beyond 
their language, with the Greeks of Constantinople. They 
see, too, that the Turks are increasing in power, and they 
know that if they are to be saved from falling into the 
hands of the Moslem, it is Venice or Genoa who will pro- 
tect them, and not Constantinople, who will have enough 
to do to defend herself. As to themselves, they would 
naturally prefer Venice, because Venice is a far better 


134 


TEE LION OF ST, MARK, 


mistress than Genoa ; but, of course, when the Genoese 
got a footing they spread lies as to our tyranny and greed, 
and so it comes that the people of the islands are divided 
in their wishes, and that while we are gladly received in 
some of them we are regarded with hate and suspicion in 
others.” 

Trade at once began, and continued until evening. 

^^How long do you expect to stay here, captain?” 
Francis asked. 

That must depend upon the wind ; it may go down 
to-morrow, it may continue to blow strong for days, and 
it is no use our attempting to work down to Candia until 
it changes its direction. I should hope, however, that in 
a day or two we may be off ; we are doing little more than 
wasting our time here.” 

A strong watch was placed on deck at nightfall. 

Why, surely, captain, there is no fear of an attack ! 
War has not yet been proclaimed with Genoa, although 
there is little doubt it will be so in a few weeks, or perhaps 
a few days.” 

There is never a real peace between Venice and Genoa 
in these seas,” the captain said, and as war is now im- 
minent, one cannot be too watchful. State galleys would 
not be attacked, but merchant vessels are different. Who is 
to inquire about a merchant ship ! Why, if we were at- 
tacked and plundered here, who would be any the wiser ! 
We should either have our throats cut or be sent to rot in 
the dungeons of Genoa. And not till there was an ex- 
change of prisoners, perhaps years hence, would any in 
Venice know what had befallen us. When weeks passed, 
and no news came to Venice of our having reached Candia, 
it would be supposed that we had been lost in the storm. 

Signor Polani would run his pen through the name of 
the Bonito, and put her down as a total loss, and there 
would be an end of it till those of us who were alive, when 
the prison doors were opened, made their way back to 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


135 


Venice. No, no, Messer Francisco ; in these eastern 
waters one must always act as if the republic were at war. 
Why, did not Antonio Dorio, in a time of profound peace, 
attack and seize eight Venetian ships laden with goods, 
killing two of the merchants on board, and putting the 
ships at a ransom ? As to single vessels missing, and never 
heard of, their number is innumerable. It is all put down 
to pirates ; but trust me, the Genoese are often at the 
bottom of it. They are robbers, the Genoese. In fair 
trade we can always beat them, and they know it, and so 
they are always seeking a pretext for a quarrel with us.” 

Francis smiled quietly at the bigoted hatred which the 
captain bore the Genoese, but thought it useless to argue 
with him. The next morning he came up on deck soon 
after daybreak. 

I see one of those vessels has taken her departure,” 
he said, as he glanced toward the spot where they had been 
lying. 

So she has,” the captain said. I had not noticed 
that before. I wonder what that fellow has gone for ? No 
good, you may be sure. Why, it is blowing hard outside 
still, as you may see by the rate those light clouds travel. 
He would never have put to sea without having a motive, 
and he must have had a strong crew on board to row out 
in the teeth of the gale far enough to make off the land ; 
that fellow is up to mischief of some sort. 

A few minutes later the captain ordered a boat to be 
lowered and rowed out to the rocky islet at the mouth of 
the harbor, and landing, climbed up the rocks and looked 
out to sea. In half an hour he returned to the ship. It 
is no use,” he said to Francis; ^^the wind is blowing 
/ straight into the passage, and we could not row the Bonito 
out against it. It was different with that craft that went 
out yesterday evening, for, I have no doubt she started as 
soon as it became dark. She was low in the water, and 
would not hold the wind ; besides, no doubt they lowered 


136 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


the masts, and with a strong crew might well have swept 
her out. But with the Bonito, with her high sides and 
heavy tonnage, it could not be done." 

What do you think she went out for, captain ? " 

It is likely enough she may have gone to one of the 
other islands, and may return with a dozen other craft, 
pirates like herself. The news that a Venetian merchant 
ship, without consorts, is weather-bound here, would bring 
them upon us like bees. It is a dangerous thing, this sail- 
ing alone. I have talked it over several times with the 
master. Other merchants generally send their ships in 
companies of eight or ten, and they are then strong enough 
to heat off any attack of pirates. Messer Polani always 
sends his vessels out singly. What he says is this : ^ A 
single ship always travels faster than a convoy, because 
these must go at the rate of the slowest among them ; then 
the captain is free to go where he will, without consulting 
others, according as he gets news where trade is to be done, 
and when he gets there he can drive his own bargains with- 
out the competition of other ships. ^ 

So you see there are advantages both ways. The pad- 
renews ships run greater risks, but if they get through them 
safely they bring home much larger profits than do those 
of others. As a rule, I prefer sailing singly ; but just at 
the present time I should be well pleased to see half a dozen 
consorts lying alongside." 

Three times during the day the captain paid a visit to 
the rocky island. On his return for the last time before 
nightfall he said to Francis : 

The wind is certainly falling : I hope that to-morrow 
morning we shall be able to get out of this trap. I am 
convinced that there is danger." 

‘^You see nothing else, do you, captain, beyond the 
departure of that craft, to make you think there is 
danger ? " 

Yes, I have seen two things," the captain said. ^^In 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


137 


the first place the demeanor of the people has changed ; 
they do not seem more unfriendly than they were before, 
but as I moved about the place to-day it seemed to me that 
there was a suppressed excitement — people gathered to- 
gether and talked earnestly, and separated if any of our 
crew happened to go near them ; even laughed when they 
thought that none of us were looking, and looked serious 
and sullen if we turned round. I am convinced that they 
are expecting something to happen. 

I have another reason for suspecting it. I have kept 
a sharp watch on that high hill behind the village ; they 
tell me there is nothing at the top except some curious 
stones, that look as if they had once been trees, so there is 
nothing they can want to go up for. Several times to-day 
I have made out the figures of men climbing that hill ; 
when they got to the top they stood for some time as if 
they were looking out over the sea, and then came down 
again without doing anything. Now, men do not climb 
such a hill as that merely for exercise. They went up be- 
cause they expected to see something, and that something 
could only be a fleet of pirate boats from the other islands. 
I would give a yearns pay if we could get out of this place 
this evening, hut it cannot he done, and we must wait until 
to-morrow morning ; I will try then, even though I risk 
being driven on the rocks. However, if they do come to- 
night they will not catch us asleep.” 

Orders were issued that the whole crew were to remain 
in readiness for attack, and that those whose watch was 
below were to sleep with their arms beside them. The 
lower ports were all closed, a strong watch was kept on 
deck, and it was certain that, whatever happened, the 
Bonito would not be taken by surprise. Being assured 
by the captain that it was not probable that any attack 
would be made before morning, as the pirates, not know- 
ing their exact position, would wait until the first gleam 
of daylight enabled them to make out where she was lying. 


138 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


and to advance in order against her, Francis lay down on 
his couch, leaving orders that, if asleep, he was to be called 
two hours before daybreak. He slept but little, however, 
getting up frequently and going out to ascertain if any 
sounds indicated the presence of an enemy. Upon one of 
these occasions he found that the person leaning next to 
him against the bulwark, and gazing toward the mouth of 
the harbor, was Giuseppi. 

^^Have you been here long, Giuseppi 
Since you were out last, Messer Francisco. I thought 
I would wait a bit and listen. 

And have you heard anything ? ” 

I have heard sounds several times.” 

What sort of sounds, Giuseppi ? ” 

Such a sound as is made when the sails and yards are 
lowered. I have heard it over and over again when out at 
night on the lagoons near the port ; there is no mistake in 
the creaking of the blocks as the halyards run through 
them. I am sure that since I have been here several 
vessels have brought up inside the mouth of the harbor. 
Some of the sailors have heard the same noises, so there 
cannot be any mistake about it. If the captain likes, I 
will take a small boat and row out, and find out all about 
them.” 

I will ask the captain, Giuseppi.” 

The captain, however, said that there would be no use 
in this being done. ^‘Whether there are few or whether 
there are many of them, we must wait till morning before 
we go out. There will be no working out that channel in 
the dark, even if we were unopposed.” 

But they must have managed to come in,” Francis 
said. 

No doubt some of their comrades in the other bark, or 
people from the village, show a light out there to guide 
them in ; besides, the wind is favorable to them and against 
us. No, young sir, there is nothing to do but to wait. In 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


139 


the morning, if there are but few of them, we will try to 
break through and gain the sea ; if there are many we will 
fight here, as then all hands will be available for the 
combat, while if we were rowing, half of them would be 
occupied with the oars. If your lad were to go as he pro- 
poses he might fall into the hands of the enemy, and as 
the information he could gather would be in any case of 
no use it is best he should remain where he is.^’ 

The hours seemed long until the first tinge of daylight 
appeared in the sky. All hands were on deck now, for 
the news that vessels had been arriving in the port had 
convinced all that danger really threatened them. It was 
not until half an hour later that they were able to make 
out some dark objects lying in under the shadow of the 
islet across the mouth of the harbor. 

There they are, Messer Francisco,” the captain said. 

Ten of them, as far as I can make out ; but there may be 
more, for likely enough some of them are lying side by side. 
There may, too, be some round a comer, where we cannot 
see them. Another half-hour we shall know all about it.” 

Francis was half-surprised that the captain did not order 
the oars to be put out and lashed in that position, for it 
was a recognized plan for preventing a ship from being 
boarded by an enemy, who could thus only approach her 
at the lofty poop and forecastle. 

Are you not going to get out the oars to keep them 
off?” 

'^No, Messer Francisco. In the first place, our sides 
are so high out of water that the pirates will have a dif- 
ficulty in boarding us in any case. In the second place, if 
we get the oars out and they row full at them, sooner or 
later they will break them off, and it is all-important that 
we should be able to row. I have been thinking the 
matter over, and my idea is, as soon as they advance, to 
get three or four oars at work on either side so as to move 
her gradually through the water toward the harbor mouth. 


140 


THE LION OF ST. MABK. 


The rowers will be charged to let their oars swing along, 
side whenever any of their craft dash at them. We shall 
want every oar as well as our sails to get away when we 
are once outside. I do not think we have much chance of 
finally heating them off if we stop and fight here. But if 
we can do so for a time and can manage to creep out of 
the harbor, all may be well." 

When daylight fairly broke they were able to make out 
their enemy. The vessels were of all sizes, from long, low 
craft, carrying great sails and long banks of oars, down to 
boats of a few tons burden. All seemed crowded with men. 

^‘None of them are anything like as high out of the 
water as the Bonito," the captain said, and they will find 
it very difiicult to climb up our sides. Still the odds 
against us are serious, but we shall give them a warmer 
reception than they expect. They will hardly calculate 
either on our being so strong-handed or so well prepared 
for them." 

Everything was indeed ready for the combat. Two or 
three barrels of the compound known as Greek fire had 
been brought up from the hold, and the cooks had heated 
caldrons full of pitch. Thirty men with bows and arrows 
were on the poop, and the rest, with spears, axes, and 
swords, stood along the bulwarks. 

We may as well get as near the entrance as we can 
before the fight begins," the captain said. Get up the 
anchor, and as soon as it is apeak get out four oars on 
each side." 

The anchor had already been hove short, and was soon 
in its place. Then the oars dipped into the water, and 
slowly the Bonito moved toward the mouth of the harbor. 
Scarcely had the oars touched the water than a bustle was 
perceived on board the piratical ships. Oars were put out, 
and in two or three minutes the pirates were under way, 
advancing at a rapid pace toward the Bonito. 

The crew made no reply to the shouts and yells of the 
























TEE LION OF ST. MARK. 


141 


pirates, but, in accordance with the orders of the captain, 
remained in a stooping position, so that the figure of the 
captain, as he hauled up the fiag with the lion of Venice 
to the masthead, was alone visible to the pirates. As these 
approached volleys of arrows were shot at the Bonito, but 
not a shot replied until they were within fifty yards of the 
ship. Then the captain gave the word. The archers 
sprang to their feet, and from their eminence poured their 
arrows thick and fast on to the crowded decks of the pi- 
rates. The captain gave the word to the rowers, and they 
relinquished their oars, which swung in by the side of the 
vessel. 

A moment later two of the largest craft of the pirates 
dashed alongside. The instant they did so they were sa- 
luted with showers of boiling pitch, while pots full of Greek 
fire were thrown down upon them. Those who tried to 
climb up the side of the Bonito were speared with lances 
or cut down with battle-axes. The combat was of short 
duration. Many of those on whom the boiling pitch had 
fallen jumped overboard in their agony, while others did 
the same to escape the Greek fire which they in vain en- 
deavored to extinguish. 

The fire quickly spread to the woodwork, and in five 
minutes after the beginning of the fight the two craft 
dropped astern from the Bonito with the fiames already ris- 
ing fiercely from them. In the meantime the other vessels 
had not been idle, and a storm of missiles was poured upon 
the Bonito. The fate which befell their comrades, how- 
ever, showed them how formidable was the vessel they had 
regarded as an easy prey, and when the first assailants of 
the Bonito dropped astern none of the others cared to take 
their places. 

Man the oars again ! the captain ordered, and the 
Bonito again moved forward, her crew stooping behind the 
bulwarks, while the archers only rose from time to time to 
discharge their shafts. 


142 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


‘‘The thing I am most afraid of,” the captain said to 
Francis, who was standing beside him, “ is, that they will 
ram us with their prows. The Bonito is strongly built, 
but the chances are that they would knock a hole in 
her.” 

“ I should think, captain, that if we were to get up some 
of those bales of cloth and fasten ropes to them we might 
lower them over the side and so break the shook.” 

“ It is worth trying anyhow,” the captain said. And a 
score of the sailors were at once sent down to fetch up the 
bales. Ropes were fastened round these, and they were 
laid along by the bulwarks in readiness for being lowered 
instantly. Ten bales were placed on each side, and three 
men told off to each bale. 

By this time they were halfway to the mouth of the har- 
bor, and the preparations were completed just in time, for 
the small boats suddenly drew aside, and twO of the larg- 
est of the pirates’ craft, each rowed by twenty-four oars, 
dashed at her, one on each side. The captain shouted the 
order, and the men all sprang to their feet. It was seen 
at once that the vessels would both strike about midships. 
Three bales on either side were raised to the bulwarks and 
lowered down with the ropes until close to the water’s edge 
and closely touching each other. Francis sprang on to 
the bulwark and superintended the operations on one side, 
while the captain did the same on the other. 

“A few feet more astern, lads. That is right. Now, 
keep the bales touching. You are just in the line.” 

An instant later the Bonito reeled from the shock of 
two tremendous blows. The bows of the pirates were stove 
in, but the thick bales enabled the Bonito to withstand the 
shock, although her sides creaked, the seams started, and 
the water flowed in freely. But of this the crew thought 
little. They were occupied in hurling darts, arrows, and 
combustibles into the pirates as these backed off in an al- 
ready sinking condition. 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 143 

Now I think we can go/* the captain said, and ordered 
the whole of the oars to be manned. 

They were speedily got out, and the Bonito made her 
way out through the mouth of the harbor. The pirates, 
in their lighter boats, rowed round and round her, shoot- 
ing clouds of arrows, hut not venturing to come to close 
quarters after the fate which had befallen the four largest 
vessels of their fleet. As soon as they were clear of the 
islet the sails were hoisted. The wind had fallen much 
during the night, and had worked round to the east, and 
under sails and oars the Bonito left the island, none of the 
pirates venturing to follow in pursuit. 

The oars were soon laid in, and the men, with mallets 
and chisels, set to work to calk the seams through which 
the water was making its way. The casualties were now 
inquired into, and it was found that six men had been shot 
dead, and that twenty -nine had received wounds more or 
less severe from the arrows of the pirates. Francis had 
been twice wounded while superintending the placing of 
the bales. One arrow had gone through his right leg, an- 
other had struck him in the side and glanced off a rib. 

This won’t do, Messer Francisco,” the captain said as 
he assisted Giuseppi to bandage the wounds. Signor 
Polani placed you on board to learn something of seaman- 
ship and commerce, not to make yourself a target for the 
arrows of pirates. However, we have to thank you for the 
saving of the Bonito, for assuredly she would have been 
stove in had not the happy thought of hanging those bales 
overboard struck you. It would be of no use against war 
galleys, whose beaks are often below the water-line, but 
against craft like these pirates it acts splendidly, and there 
is no doubt that you saved the ship from destruction and 
us from death, for after the burning of the two first vessels 
that attacked us you may be sure they would have shown 
but little mercy. I can’t think how you came to think 
of it.” 


144 


THE LION OF ST. MARE. 


Why, I have read in hooks, captain, of defenders, of 
walls hanging over trusses of straw to break the blows of 
battering-rams and machines of the besiegers. Directly 
you said they were going to ram us it struck me we might 
do the same, and then I thought that bales of cloth similar 
to those you got up on deck to trade with the islanders 
would be just the thing. 

It was a close shave,” the captain said. I was lean- 
ing over, and saw the whole side of the ship bend beneath 
the blow, and expected to hear the ribs crack beneath me. 
Fortunately the Bonito was stronger built than her assail- 
ants, and their bows crumpled in before her side gave ; 
but my heart was in my mouth for a time, I can tell you.” 

So was mine, captain. I hardly felt these two arrows 
strike me ; they must have been shot from one of the other 
boats. Then I could not help laughing to see the way in 
which the men at the oars tumbled backward at the 
moment when their vessel struck us ; it was as if an invis- 
ible giant had swept them all off their seats together.” 

The wind continued favorable until they arrived at 
Candia, where the captain reported to the commander of a 
Venetian war galley lying in the port the attack that had 
been made upon him, and the galley at once started for 
the scene of the action to destroy any pirates she might 
find there or among the neighboring islands, or in the 
various inlets and bays of the mainland. Having delivered 
their letters and landed a portion of their cargo for the use 
of Polani^s agents in the islands, the Bonito proceeded to 
Cyprus. For some weeks she cruised along the coast of 
Syria, trading in the various Turkish ports, for Venice, 
although she had shared in some of the crusades, was now, 
as she had often been before, on friendly terms with the 
Turks. Her interests all lay in that direction ; she carried, 
on a large trade with them ; and in the days when she lay 
under the interdict of the pope, and all Europe stood aloof 
from her, she drew her stores of provisions from the Mos- 


TEE LION OF ST. MARK. 


145 


lem ports, and was thus enabled successfully to resist the 
pressure which she suffered from the interdict. 

She foresaw, too, the growing power of the Turks, and 
perceived that in the future they would triumph over the 
degenerate Greek empire at Constantinople. She had 
spent her blood and treasure freely in maintaining that 
empire ; hut the weakness and profligacy of its emperors, 
the intestine quarrels and disturbances which were forever 
going on, and the ingratitude with which she had always 
treated Venice, had completely alienated the Venetians 
from her ; Genoa had, indeed, for many years exercised a 
far more preponderating influence at Constantinople than 
Venice had done. 

Having completed the tour of the Syrian ports the 
Bonito sailed north, with the intention of passing the Dar- 
danelles and Bosphorus and proceeding to Azoph. When 
she reached the little island of Tenedos, a few miles from 
the entrance to the strait, she heard news which compelled 
the captain to alter his intentions. A revolution had 
broken out in Constantinople, aided by the Genoese of 
Pera. The cruel tyrant Calojohannes V. had been de- 
posed, and his heir Andronicus, whom he had deprived of 
sight and thrown into a dungeon, released and placed on 
the throne. As a reward for the services she had rendered 
him, Andronicus issued a decree conferring Tenedos upon 
Genoa. 

The news had just arrived when the Bonito entered the 
port, and the town was in a ferment. There were two or 
three Venetian war-ships in the harbor; but the Venetian 
admiral, being without orders from home as to what part 
to take in such an emergency, remained neutral. The 
matter was, however, an important one, for the possession 
of Tenedos gave its owners the command of the Darda- 
nelles, and a fleet lying there could effectually block the 
passage. 

The people thronged up to the governor's house with 

lO 


146 


THE LION OF 8T. MARK. 


shouts of ^^Down with Genoa The governor, being un- 
supported by any Greek or Genoese troops, bowed to the 
popular will, and declared that he did not recognize the 
revolution that had taken place in Constantinople, and 
refused to submit to the decree of Andronicus. Donata 
Trono, a Venetian merchant, resident on the island and 
other Venetians harangued the people, and pointed out to 
them that alone they could not hope to resist the united 
forces of Greece and Genoa, and that their only hope of 
safety lay in, placing themselves under the protection of 
Venice. The people, seeing the justice of the arguments 
of the Venetians, and preferring the Venetian rule to 
that of Genoa, agreed to the proposal. The banner of 
St. Mark was raised amid great enthusiasm, and the 
island dcelared subject to Venice. 

A Genoese galley in port immediately set sail and quickly 
carried the news to Constantinople, where the emperor at 
once threw the whole of the Venetian residents into prison. 
As soon as the news of this reached Tenedos the captain of 
the Bonito held a consultation with Francis. 

It is evident, Messer Francisco, that we cannot pro- 
ceed upon our northward voyage. We should be captured 
and held at Constantinople ; and, even did we succeed in 
passing at night, we should fall into the hands of the 
Genoese — who are far stronger in the Black Sea than we 
are — for if Venice accepts the offer of the people of this 
place and takes possession of the island, Genoa is sure to 
declare war. I think, then, that we had better make our 
way back to Venice with what cargo we have on board, 
and there get fresh orders from the padrone. We have not 
done badly so far, and it is better to make sure of what we 
have got than to risk its loss, for at any day we may fall 
in with the Genoese fleet sailing hither.” 

Francis quite agreed with the captain’s opinion, and the 
Bonito sailed for the south. They touched, on their way, 
at several islands, and the news that an early outbreak of 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


147 


hostilities between Genoa and Venice was probable — in 
which case there would be an almost complete cessation of 
trade — produced so strong a desire on the part of the is- 
landers to lay in a store of goods that the captain was able 
to dispose of the rest of his cargo on good terms, and to 
fill up his ship with the produce of the islands. 

Thus the Bonito was deep in the water when she re- 
entered the port of Venice after an absence of about three 
months. As soon as the anchor was dropped the captain, 
accompanied by Francis, hired a gondola, and rowed into 
the city to give an account to Signor Polani of the success 
of his voyage, and to lay before him a list of the cargo with 
which the Bonito was laden. The merchant received them 
with great cordiality, and embraced Francis with the affec- 
tion of a father. 

Do you go at once into the salon, Francisco ; you will 
find my daughters expecting you there, for the news came 
an hour ago that the Bonito was entering port. Of course 
we heard from the letters from Candia of your adventures 
with the pirates, and the gallant way in which the Bonito 
defeated them. You will find, captain, that I have ordered 
an extra month^s pay to be given to all on board. 

The captain did full justice, Francisco, in his account 
of the matter, to your quickness in suggesting a method by 
which the effort of the ramming of the enemy was neutral- 
ized, and for the courage you showed in carrying out your 
idea ; but we will talk of that afterward. He and I have 
business to transact which will occupy us for some time, 
so the sooner you go the better. 

Francis at once took himself off and joined the girls, 
who received him with the heartiest greeting. 

^^We were glad indeed, Francis,” Maria said, ^^when 
our father told us that the Bonito was signaled as entering 
the port. No letters have come for some time, and we 
feared that you must have entered the Dardanelles and 
reached Constantinople before the news arrived there of 


148 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


that affair at Tenedos, in which case you would no doubt 
have been seized and thrown into the dungeons/^ 

^^We were at Tenedos when the affair took place/’ 
Francis said, and have had no opportunity since of send- 
ing a letter by any ship likely to he here before us. The 
outbreak made us alter our plans, for, of course, it would 
not have been safe to have sailed further when the emperor 
was so enraged against Venice. I need hardly tell you I 
was not sorry when we turned our faces again toward 
Venice. I have enjoyed the voyage very much, and have 
had plenty to occupy me ; still, three months at a time is 
long enough, and I was beginning to long for a sight of 
Venice.” 

** For a sight of Venice and — ” Maria repeated, holding 
up her finger reprovingly. 

** And of you both,” Francis said, smiling. I did not 
think it necessary to put that in, because you must know 
that you are Venice to me.” 

** That is much better,” Maria said approvingly. ** I 
think you have improved since you have been away. Do 
you not think so, Giulia ? ” 

I donT think that sort of nonsense is an improvement,” 
Giulia said gravely. ^^Any of the young Venetian gal- 
lants can say that sort of thing. We do not want flattery 
from Francisco.” 

"'You should say you do not want it, Giulia,” Maria 
said, laughing. "I like it, I own, even from Francisco. 
It may not mean anything, but it is pleasant nevertheless ; 
besides, one likes to think that there is just a little truth 
in it, not much, perhaps, but just a little in what Francisco 
said, for instance. Of course we are not all Venice to him, 
still, just as we are pleased to see him, he is pleased to see 
us ; and why shouldnT he say so in a pretty way ? It^s all 
very well for you to set up as being above flattery, Giulia, 
but you are young yet ; I have no doubt you will like it 
when you get as old as I am.” 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


149 


Giulia shook her head decidedly. 

I always think/’ she said, ^^when I hear a man saying 
flattering things to a girl, that it is the least complimentary 
thing he can do, for it is treating her as if he considers 
that she is a fool, otherwise he would never say such out- 
rageous nonsense to her.” 

There, Francisco,” Maria laughed, ^^you are fairly 
warned now ; beware how you venture to pay any compli- 
ment to Giulia in future. It would be a dull world if 
every one were to think as you do, Giulia, and to say 
exactly as they meant. Fancy a young man saying to you : 
^ I think you are a nice sort of girl, no prettier than the 
rest, but good-tempered and pleasant, and to be desired 
because your father is rich ! ’ A nice sort of way that 
would be to be made love to ! ” 

There is no occasion for them to say anything at all,” 
Giulia said indignantly ; we don’t go about saying to 
them, I think you are good-looking, and well-mannered, 
and witty ; ’ or, ^ I like you because they say you are a 
brave soldier and a good swordsman.’ Why should they 
say such things to us ? I suppose we can tell if any one 
likes us without all that nonsense.” 

Perhaps so,” the elder girl assented ; and yet I main- 
tain it’s pleasant, and at any rate it’s the custom, and as 
it’s the custom we must put up with it. What do you say, 
Francisco ? ” 

I don’t know anything about it,” Francis said ; cer- 
tainly some of the compliments I have heard paid were 
barefaced falsehoods, and I have wondered how men could 
make them, and how women could even affect to believe in 
them but, on the other hand, I suppose that when people 
are in love they really do think the person they are in love 
with is prettier and more charming, or braver and more 
handsome, than any one else in the world, and that though 
it may be flattery it is really true in the opinion of the per- 
son who utters it.” 


150 


THE LlOJSf OF ST. MARK. 


And now let us leave the matter alone for the present, 
Francisco ; we are dying to hear all about your adventures, 
and especially that fight with the pirates. The captain in 
his letter merely said that you were attacked and beat the 
pirates off, and that you would have been sunk if it hadnT 
been that at your suggestion they lowered bales of cloth 
over to break the shock, and that so many men were killed 
and so many wounded, and that you were hit twice by ar- 
rows, but the wounds were healing. ThaFs all he said, for 
papa read that portion of his letter out to us ; now we 
want a full and particular account of the affair.” 

Francis gave a full account of the fight, and then re- 
lated the other incidents of the voyage. 

We know many of the ports you touched at,” Maria 
said when he had finished, ^^for when we were little girls 
papa took us sometimes for voyages in his ships when the 
times were peaceful and there was no danger. Now let us 
order a gondola, and go for a row ; papa is sure to be oc- 
cupied for ever so long with your captain.” 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


151 


CHAPTER IX. 

THE CAPTUKE OF THE LIDO. 

SiGNOE PoEAKi told Frances that evening that he was 
much pleased with the report that the captain had given 
of his eagerness to acquire information both in mercantile 
and nautical matters, and of the manner in which he had 
kept the ship^s books, and the entries of the sales, and 
purchases of goods. 

Many young fellows at your age, Francis, when there 
was no compulsion for them to have taken these matters 
into their charge, would have thought only of amusement 
and gayety when they were in port, and I am glad to see 
that you have a real interest in them. Whatever the line 
in life a young man takes up, he will never excel in it un- 
less he goes into it with all his heart, and I am very glad 
to see that you have thrown yourself so heartily into your 
new profession. The Bonito made a most satisfactory 
voyage, far more so than I anticipated when I found that 
she would not be able to carry out the programme I had 
laid down for her ; but the rise in the prices in the latter 
part of your voyage has more than made up for the loss 
of the trade in the Black Sea ; and you have done as much 
in the three months you were absent as I should have ex- 
pected had you been, as I anticipated, six months away. 

You will be some little time before you start again, as 
I wish to see how matters are going before I send the Bonito 
out upon another adventure. At present nothing is settled 
here ; that there will be war with Genoa before long is 
certain, but we would rather postpone it as long as pos- 


152 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


sible, and the senate has not yet arrived at the decision to 
accept the offer of Tenedos. Negotiations are going on 
with Genoa and Constantinople, but I have little hope that 
anything will come of them. 

It is getting late in the season now, and the war will 
hardly break out until next spring ; but I have no doubt 
the struggle will then begin, and preparations are going 
on with all speed in the dockyards. We are endeavoring 
to obtain allies, but the combination is so strong against 
Venice that we are meeting with little success, and 
Ferrara is really the only friend on whom we can rely, and 
she is not in a position to aid us materially in such a 
struggle as this will be. I am glad to tell you that the 
affair in which you were concerned before you sailed has 
now completely dropped ; nothing has been heard of Mo- 
cenigo since he made his escape. 

A decree of banishment was passed against him, but 
where he is we know not. That wretched woman was sen- 
tenced to four years' imprisonment, but upon my petition 
she will be released at the end of six months, on her 
promise that she will not again set foot in the territory 
of the republic. As Mocenigo has not been brought to 
trial, there will be no further official inquiry into the 
matter, and I have not been further questioned as to the 
source from which I obtained my information as to the 
girls' hiding-place. Your share in the matter is therefore 
altogether unsuspected, and I do not think that there is 
any further danger to you from Mocenigo's partisans." 

I should be glad enough to remain in Venice a fort- 
night or so, sir," Francis said, but if at the end of that 
time you have any vessel going out, I shall prefer to go in 
her. Now that my studies are over, I shall be very soon 
get tired of doing nothing. Perhaps in a few years I may 
care more for the gayeties of Venice, but certainly at 
present I have no interest in them, and would rather be 
at sea. Matteo tells me that you have promised he shall 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


153 


make a few voyages in your ships, and that you have told 
him he shall go in one of them shortly ; if so, it would be 
very pleasant to us both if we can sail together/^ 

I will arrange it so, Francisco. It would be for the 
benefit of my cousin — who is a good lad, but hare-brained, 
and without ballast — for you to go with him. I should 
indeed have proposed it, but the vessel in which I have 
decided he shall sail will be ready for sea in another ten 
days or so, and I thought that you would prefer a longer 
stay in Venice before you again set sail. If, however, it is 
your wish to be off again so soon, I will arrange for you 
both to sail together. This time you will go officially as 
my supercargo, since you now understand the duties. The 
captain of the vessel in which you will sail is a good sailor 
and a brave man, but he has no aptitude for trade, and I 
must have sent a supercargo with him. Your decision to 
go relieves me of this, for which I am not sorry, for men 
who are at once good supercargoes and honest men are 
difficult to get.” 

The fortnight passed rapidly, and Francis enjoyed his 
stay at the merchant's greatly, but he was not sorry when, 
at the end of ten days, Polani told him that the lading of 
the vessel would begin the next day, and that he had best 
go on board early and see the cargo shipped, so that he 
might check off the bales and casks as they were sent on 
board, and see where each description of goods was stowed 
away. 

I think, papa, it is too bad of you sending Francisco 
away so soon,” Maria said, when at their evening meal she 
learned the news of his early departure. 

It is his own doing,” her father said ; it is he who 
wants to go, not I who send him. I consider that it is 
entirely your fault.” 

Our fault ! ” the two girls repeated in surprise. 

Certainly. If you had made Venice sufficiently pleas- 
ant to him he would not wish to leave. I am too busy to 


154 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


see about such things, and I left it to you to entertain him. 
As he is in such a hurry to get away again, it is evident 
that you have not succeeded in doing so.” 

Indeed, Signor Polani, your daughters have been every- 
thing that is kind, but I have no taste for assemblies and 
entertainments. I feel out of place there amid all the 
gayly-dressed nobles and ladies, and no sooner do I get 
there than I begin to wonder how any one can prefer the 
heated rooms and clatter of tongues to the quiet pleasure ^ 
of a walk backward and forward on the deck of a good 
ship ; besides, I want to learn my profession, and there is 
so much to learn in it that I feel I have no time to lose.” 

'^lam right glad to see your eagerness in that direction, 
Francisco, and I did but jest with my daughters. You 
have not yet asked me what is the destination of the Lido, 
for that is the name of your new vessel. This time you 
are going quite in a new direction. In the spring we are 
certain to have war with Genoa, and as Parma and Hungary 
will probably both take sides against us, we may find our- 
selves cut off from the mainland, and, in case of a disaster 
happening to our fieet, in sore straits for food. I am, there- 
fore, going to gather into my warehouses as much grain 
as they will hold ; this will both be a benefit to the state, 
and will bring me good profit, for the price of wheat will 
be high in the city if we are leaguered on the land side. 

The Lido will go down to Sicily, and fill up there with 
^orn. You will have to use care before entering port, for 
with war now certain both parties will begin to snap up 
prizes when they get the chance. So you must keep a 
sharp lookout for Genoese galleys. If you find the coast 
is too closely watched, you will go to the Moorish ports. 
We are friends with them at present, though doubtless, as 
soon as Genoa and ourselves get to blows, they will be re- 
suming their piratical work. Thus you will, this time, 
take in a much smaller amount of cargo, as you will have 
to pay for the most part in gold.” 


THE LION OF ST. MAEK. 


155 


It mattered little to Francis where he voyaged ; but 
Matteo, who had been greatly delighted at the thought of 
sailing with his friend, was much disappointed when he 
heard that they were only going to fetch grain from 
Sicily. 

^‘Why, it is nothing to call a voyage/^ he said, in tones 
of disgust, when Francis told him the destination of the 
Lido. I had hoped we were going to make a long voy- 
age, and touch at all sorts of places, just as you did last 
time.^^ 

I do not see that it matters much, Matteo ; and we 
shall learn navigation just as well from one course as an- 
other. The voyage will not be a long one, unless we meet 
with unfavorable winds ; but there’s no saying what may 
happen, and you may meet with adventure even on a voy- 
age to Sicily and back.” 

The trip down to Sicily was quickly made. Francis had 
worked hard on his first voyage, and was now able to 
make daily calculations as to the run made, the course 
steered, and the position of the ship, and found that these 
tallied closely with those of the captain. Matteo and he 
shared a large and handsome cabin, and the time passed 
pleasantly as the vessel ran down the coast of Italy. Once' 
out of the Adriatic a sharp lookout was kept, but the coast 
of Sicily was made without seeing any sails of a suspicious 
character. The lads were struck with surprise and ad- 
miration when, on coming on deck in the morning, they 
saw the great cone of Etna lying ahead of them. 

Neither of them had ever seen a mountain of any size, 
and their interest in the scene was heightened by a slight 
wreath of smoke which curled up from the summit of the 
hill. 

It is well worth a voyage, if it were only to see that 
mountain,” Francis said. "" What an immense height it 
is, and how regular in its shape ! ” 

^'And yet,” Matteo said, '"those who have journeyed 


156 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


from Italy into France tell me that there are mountains 
there beside which Etna is as nothing. These mountains 
are a continuation of the range of hills which we can see 
from Venice. Their tops are always covered with snow, 
and cannot be ascended by man ; whereas it is easy, they 
say, to reach the top of Etna.^^ 

Yes, that looks easy enough," Francis agreed. It 
seems such a regular slope that one could almost ride up ; 
but I dare say, when you are close you would find all sorts 
of difficult places." 

I should like to try," Matteo said. What a grand 
view there would be from the top ! Is the port we are 
going to try first, captain, anywhere near the foot of the 
mountain ? " 

No, I am going round the southern part of the island. 
On this side the ground is less fertile, and we should have 
difficulty in obtaining a cargo. But even were we to put 
into a port on this side, you would not be able to climb 
Mount Etna. 

Sicily has been an unfortunate country. Its great 
natural wealth has rendered it an object of desire to all its 
neighbors. It was the battle ground of the Komans and 
Carthaginians. Pisa, Genoa, and Naples have all con- 
tended for its possession ; and the Moors frequently make 
descents upon its coasts. It has seldom enjoyed a peace- 
ful and settled government. The consequence is that 
general lawlessness prevails in the districts remote from 
the towns ; while in the forests that clothe the side of 
Mount Etna there are numerous hordes of bandits who set 
the authorities at defiance, levy blackmail throughout the 
surrounding villages, and carry off wealthy inhabitants, 
and put them to ransom. No one in his senses would 
think of ascending that mountain, unless he had something 
like an army with him." 

I should like to try it all the same," Matteo asserted. 

If there are woods all over it, it is not likely one would 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


157 


happen to meet with any of these people. I should like, 
above all things, to get to the top of that hill.^^ 

It would be harder work than you think, young sir,^^ 
the captain said. You have no idea from this distance 
what the height is, or what a long journey it is to ascend 
to the top. I have been told that it is a hundred and 
twenty miles round its foot.^^ 

I don^t think you would like it, Matteo, if you were 
to try it,^^ Francis said, laughing. You know you are 
as lazy as you can be, and hate exerting yourself. I am 
sure that before you got a quarter of the distance up that 
mountain you would have only one wish, and that would 
be to be at the bottom again. 

I don^t know,” Matteo said. I hate exerting myself 
uselessly — wasting my strength, as you do, in rowing at an 
oar, or anything of that sort ; but to do anything great 
I would not mind exertion, and would go on until I 
dropped.” 

'‘That is all very well, Matteo; but to do anything 
great you have got to do small things first. You could 
never wield a sword for five minutes unless you had prac- 
ticed with it ; and you will never succeed in accomplishing 
any feats requiring great strength and endurance if you do 
not practice your muscles on every occasion. You used to 
grumble at the height when you came up to my room in 
the old house, and I suppose Etna is something like two 
hundred times as high.” 

" That does sound a serious undertaking,” Matteo said, 
laughing ; " and I am afraid that I shall never see the 
view from the top of Etna. Certainly I shall not, if it will 
be necessary beforehand to be always exercising my 
muscles by running up the stairs of high houses.” 

The next day they were off Girgenti, the port at which 
they hoped to obtain a cargo. They steered in until they 
encountered a fishing-boat, and learned from those on 
board that there was no Genoese vessel in port, nor, as far 


158 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


as the men knew, any state galleys anywhere in the neigh- 
borhood. Obtaining this news they sailed boldly into the 
port and dropped anchor. Francis, who had received 
before starting a lirit of houses with whom Signor Polani 
w^as in the habit of doing business, at once rowed ashore, 
Matteo and Giuseppi accompanying him. His business 
arrangements were soon completed ; the harvest had been 
a good one, and there was an abundance of corn to be had 
at a cheap rate. 

In half an hour he arranged for as large a quantity as 
the Lido would carry. The work of loading soon com- 
menced, and in four days the ship was full up to the 
hatches. 

Francis went on shore to settle the various accounts, and 
was just making the last payment when Matteo ran into 
the oiB&ce. 

^^Four Genoese galleys are entering the bay \ 

Francis ran out and saw four Genoese galleys rowing in. 
It is too late to escape. Even were we empty we could 
not get away ; but, laden as the Lido is, they could row 
three feet to her one.^^ 

What shall we do, Francisco 

Francis stood for half a minute thinking. 

You had better stay here, Matteo. I will row out to 
the ship and send most of the men on shore. If they seize 
the ship they may not take those on board prisoners ; but 
if they do, there is no reason why they should take us all.^^ 
You had better come on shore too, Francisco, and 
leave the captain in charge. You can do no good by 
staying there, and Polani would be more concerned at 
your capture than he would at the loss of a dozen ships. 
If you could do any good it would be different ; but as it 
is, it would be foolish to risk capture. 

^^I will see,’' Francis said ; at any rate do you stop 
here." 

J umping into a boat, he rowed toward the Lido, which 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


159 


was lying but a cable^s-length from the shore. As he 
neared her, he shouted to the men to lower the boats. 

Captain,” he said, do not know whether there is 
any danger of being captured by the Genoese, but it is 
useless to run any unnecessary risk ; therefore send all the 
crew but three or four men on shore. If the Genoese 
board us, we have our papers as peaceful traders buying 
wheat ; but if, in spite of that, they capture us, we must 
take our chance.” 

Surely you are not thinking of stopping, Messer Fran- 
cisco. The padrone would be terribly vexed if you were 
taken. He specially ordered me, before we started, to see 
that no unnecessary risk was run, and to prevent you from 
thrusting yourself into danger. Therefore, as captain of 
the ship, I must insist that you go on shore.” 

I think I ought to stay here,” Francis said, 
do not think so,” the captain said firmly, ^^and I 
will not suffer it. I have to answer for your safety to the 
padrone ; and if you do not go by yourself, I shall order 
the men to put you into one of the boats by force. I mean 
no disrespect ; but I know my duty, and that is to prevent 
you from falling into the hands of the^ Genoese.” 

will not oblige you to use force, captain,” Francis 
said, smiling, and will do as you wish me.” 

In five minutes the men were all — save four, whom the 
captain had selected — in the boat, and rowing toward shore. 
Matteo was awaiting them when they landed. 

That is right, Francisco. I was half-afraid you would 
stay on board. I know how obstinate you are whenever 
you take a thing into your head.” 

The captain was more obstinate still, Matteo, and said 
that unless I came away he would send me on shore by 
force ; but I donT like deserting the ship.” 

That is nonsense, Francisco. If the Genoese take her, 
they take her, and your remaining on board could not do 
any good. What are you going to do now ? ” 


160 


THE LION OF ST, MARK, 


‘‘We will at once leave the place with the men, Matteo, 
and retire into the country behind. It is not likely the 
Genoese would land and seize us here, hut they might do 
so, or the inhabitants, to please Genoa, might seize us and 
send us on board. At any rate we shall be safer in the 
country." 

The men had, by the captain^s orders, brought their arms 
ashore on leaving the ship. This was the suggestion of 
Francis, who said that were they unarmed the people might 
seize them and hand them over to the Genoese. 

At the head of this party, which was about fifty strong, 
Francis marched up through the little town and out into 
the country. He had really but little fear either that the 
Genoese would arrest them on shore, or that the people 
^ould interfere with them, for they would not care to risk 
the anger of Venice by interfering in such a matter. He 
thought it probable, however, that if his men remained in 
the town, broils would arise between them and any of the 
Genoese sailors might land. 

As soon as the Genoese galleys came up to the head of 
the bay a boat was lowered and, rowed to the Lido, at whose 
masthead the Venetian fiag was flying. An officer, followed 
by six men, climbed up on the deck. 

“ Are you the captain of this ship ? " the officer asked as 
the captain approached him. 

“ I am," the captain said. 

“What ship is it ?" 

“It is the Lido, the property of Messer Polani, a mer- 
chant of Venice, and laden with a cargo of wheat." 

“ Then you are my prisoner," the Genoese said. “ I seize 
this vessel as lawful prize." 

“ There is peace between the republics," the captain said. 
“ I protest against the seizure of this ship as an act of 
piracy." 

“We have news that several of our ships have been 
leized by the Venetians," the officer said ; “ and we there- 


THE LION OF ST. MARE. 


161 


fore capture this vessel in reprisal. Where are your 
crew ?” 

There are only four on board,” the captain said. "'We 
have filled up our cargo and were going to sail to-morrow, 
and therefore the rest of the crew were allowed to go on 
shore ; and I do not think it is likely that they will return 
now,” for one of the Genoese sailors had hauled down the 
flag of Venice and had replaced it with that of Genoa, 

The Genoese officer briefly examined the vessel. 

" Whom have you here on board with you ?” he asked, 
struck with the furniture and fittings of Francis^ cabin. 

" This is the cabin of Matteo Giustiniani, a young noble 
of Venice, who is making his first voyage in order to fit 
himself for entering the service of the state, and of Fran- 
cisco Hammond, who stands high in the affections of my 
patron.” 

The Geneose uttered an angry exclamation. The name 
of Polani was well known in Genoa as one of the chief mer- 
chants of Venice and as belonging to a ducal house, while 
the family of Giustiniani was even more illustrious ; and 
had these passengers fallen into his hands a ransom might 
have been obtained greatly exceeding the value of the Lido 
and her cargo. 

Leaving four of his men on board he went off to the 
galley of the officer commanding the fleet, and presently 
returned with a large boat full of sailors. 

" You and your men can go ashore,” he said to the cap- 
tain. " The admiral does not deem you worth the trouble 
of carrying to Genoa ; but be quick, or you will have to 
swim to shore.” 

As the Lido^s boats had all gone ashore the captain hailed 
a fishing-boat which was passing, and with the four sailors 
was rowed to shore, well content that he had escaped the 
dungeons of Genoa. He rightly imagined that he and his 
men were released solely on account of the paucity of their 
numbers. Had the whole crew been captured they would 

II 


162 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


have been carried to Genoa ; but the admiral did not care 
to bring in five prisoners only, and preferred taking the 
ship alone. 

Francis with his party followed the line of the coast, as- 
cending the hills which rose steeply from the edge of the 
sea at a short distance from the town. He had brought 
with him from the town a supply of food sufficient for four 
or five days, and encamped in a little wood near the edge 
of the cliff. From this they had a view of the port and 
could watch the doings of the Genoese galleys. Fires were 
lit and meat cooked over them ; and just as the meal was 
prepared the captain and the four sailors joined them amid 
a hearty cheer from the crew. 

I have made my protest, the captain said as he took 
his seat by the side of Francis, and the padrone can make 
a complaint before the council if he thinks fit to do so ; 
but there is small chance that he will ever recover the Lido 
or the value of her cargo.” 

I don’t like losing the ship,” Francis said. Of course 
it is only a stroke of bad fortune, and we could neither fly 
nor defend ourselves. Still one hates arriving home with 
the story that one has lost the ship.” 

Yes,” the captain agreed. Messer Polani is a jus^ 
man, yet no one cares to employ men who are unlucky ; 
and the worst of it is that the last ship I commanded was 
wrecked. Many men would not have employed me again, 
although it wasn’t my fault. But after this second affair 
in a few months’ time I shall get the name of being an un- 
lucky man, and no one in his senses would employ a man 
who is always losing his ships.” 

Do you think that there is any chance of our re-cap- 
turing it, captain ? ” 

^^Not the least in the world,” the captain replied. 
** Even supposing that we could get on board and over- 
power the Genoese without being heard, and get her out of 
the port without being seen, we should not get away. 


THE LION OF ST. MARK- 


163 


Laden as she is with grain, she will sail very slowly, and 
the Genoese would overtake her in a few hours ; and I 
needn’t tell you that then there would be very little mercy 
shown to any on board.” 

That is true enough.” Francis said. Still I do not 
like the idea of losing the Lido.” 

After the meal was over Francis rose and asked Matteo 
to accompany him on a stroll along the cliffs, Giuseppi as 
usual following them. They walked along until they 
rounded the head of the bay and were able to look along 
the coast for some distance. It was steep and rocky and 
worn into a number of slight indentations. In one of 
these rose a ledge of rocks at a very short distance from the 
shore. 

How much further are we going, Francis ?” Matteo 
said when they had walked a couple of miles. 

About a quarter of a mile, Matteo. I want to examine 
that ledge of rocks we saw from the first point.” 

What on earth do you want to look at them for, 
Francis ? You certainly are the most curious fellow I ever 
met. You scoffed at me when I said I should like to go 
tip Mount Etna, and now here you are dragging me along 
this cliff just to look at some rocks of no possible interest 
to any one.” 

That is the point to be inquired into, Matteo. I thinlt 
it’s possible they may prove very interesting.” 

Matteo shrugged his shoulders, as he often did when 
he felt too lazy to combat the eccentric ideas of his English 
friend. 

There we are,” Francis said at last, standing on the 
edge of the cliff and looking down. Nothing could be 
better.” 

I am glad you think so, Francisco,” Matteo said, seat- 
ing himself on the grass. I hope you intend to stay 
some little time to admire them, for I own that I should 
like a rest before I go back.” 


164 


THE LION OF ST. MARE. 


Francis stood looking at the rocks. The hay was a 
shallow one and was but five or six hundred yards from 
point to point, the rocks rising nearly in a line between the 
points and showing for about two hundred yards above 
water, and at about the same distance from the cliffs behind 
them. 

‘ * What height do you think those rocks are above the 
water, Giuseppi ? 

'^It is difficult to judge, signor, we are so high above 
them ; but I should think in the middle they must be ten 
or twelve feet.^’ 

** I should think it likely they were more than double 
that, Giuseppi ; but we shall see better when we get down 
to the bottom. I dare say we shall find a place where we 
can clamber down.” 

My dear Francisco,” Matteo said earnestly, ^'is any- 
thing the matter with you ? I begin to have doubts of 
your sanity. What on earth do these rocks matter to you 
one way or the other ? or what can you care whether they 
are thirty inches or thirty feet above the water ? They do 
not differ from other rocks, as far as I can see. They are 
very rugged and very rough, and would be very awkward 
if they lay out at sea instead of in this little bay, where 
they are in nobody’s way. Is it not enough that you have 
tramped two miles to have a look at them, which means 
four miles, as we have got to return somehow ? and now 
you talk about climbing down that breakneck cliff to have 
a look at them close ! ” 

But Francis paid no attention to Matteo’s words. He 
was gazing down into the clear smooth water, which was so 
transparent that every stone and pebble at the bottom could 
he seen. 

‘^The water looks extremely shallow, Giuseppi. What 
do you think ? ” 

^^It seems to me, signor, that there is not a foot of whter 
between the rocks and the shore.” 


THE LION OF ST. AIARK. 


1G5 


It does look so, Giuseppi ; but it is possible that the 
transparency of the water deceives us, and that there may 
be ten or twelve feet of water there. However, that is 
what we must go down and find out. Now the first thing 
is to look about and find some point at which we can get 
down the beach, 

^^Well, I will lie down and take a nap till you come 
back,” Matteo said in a tone of resignation. I have no 
interest either in these rocks or in the water ; and as far as 
I can protest I do so against the whole proceeding, which 
to me savors of madness.” 

Don’t you understand, you silly fellow, what I am 
thinking about ? ” Francis said impatiently. 

Not in the smallest degree, Francisco ; but do not 
trouble to tell me — it makes no matter. You have some 
idea in your head, carry it out by all means ; only don’t 
ask me to cut my hands, tear my clothes, and put myself 
into a perspiration by climbing down that cliff.” 

My idea is this, Matteo. There is no chance of carry- 
ing off the Lido by speed from the Genoese ; but if we 
could get her out of the bay we might bring her round 
here and lay her behind those rocks, and the Genoese 
would pass by without dreaming she was there. Half a 
mile out those rocks would look as if they form part of the 
cliff, and none would suspect there was a passage behind 
them.” 

That is something like an idea ! ” Matteo said, jump- 
ing to his feet. Why did you not tell me of it before ? 
You have quite alarmed me. Seriously I began to think 
that you had become a little mad, and was wondering 
whether I had not better go back and fetch the captain 
and some of his men to look after you. Now let us look 
at your rocks again. Why, man, there is not water enough 
to fioat a boat between them and the shore, much less the 
Lido, which draws nine foot of water now she is loaded.” 
don’t know, Matteo. Looking down on water from 


166 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


a height is very deceiving ; if it is clear and transparent 
there is nothing to enable you to judge its depth. At 
any rate it is worth trying. Before we go down we will 
cut some long stiff rods with which we can measure the 
depth. But we have first to find a place where we can get 
down to the water. 

After a quarter of an hour’s search they found a point 
where the descent seemed practicable. A little stream had 
worn a deep fissure in the face of the rock, shrubs and 
bushes had grown up in the crevices and afforded a hold 
for the hands, and there appeared no great difficulty in get- 
ting down. Before starting they cut three stiff slender rods 
twelve feet in length. They then set to work to make the 
descent. It was by no means difficult, and in a few min- 
utes they stood by the edge of the water. 

'' It is a great advantage, the path being so easy,” Fran- 
cis said, for in case they did discover the ship we could 
land and climb to the top before they had time to come to 
shore, and once there we could keep the whole force in 
those galleys at bay. Now for the main point, the depth 
of the water.” 

Matteo shook his head. 

It is useless to take the trouble to undress, Francis,” he 
said, as the latter threw off his jacket. Giuseppi can 
wade out to the rocks without wetting his knees.” 

Giuseppi can try if he likes,” Francis said, ^^but I 
will wager he will not get far.” 

Giuseppi, as convinced as Matteo of the shallowness of 
the water, stepped into it, but was surprised to find that 
before he had gone many paces the water was up to his 
waist. 

Well, I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it,” 
Matteo said when he returned, but I think he must have 
got into a deep hole among the rocks ; however, we shall 
soon see,” and he, too, began to undress. 

In a few minutes the three lads were swimming out 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


167 


toward the rocks which, as Francis had anticipated, rose 
from twenty to thirty feet above the level of the sea. The- 
water deepened fast, and for the last thirty or forty yards 
they were unable to touch the bottom, even when thrust- 
ing down their rods to the fullest depth. They then tried 
the depth in the passages at the end of the rocks and found 
that there was ample water for the Lido. When they 
ascertained this to their satisfaction they swam hack to the 
shore. 

I shall believe you in future, Francis, even if you as- 
sert that the moon is made of cheese. I could have taken 
an oath that there was not a foot of water between those 
rocks and the shore.” 

hardly ventured to hope that it was as deep as it 
is,” Francis said, hut I know how deceiving clear water 
is when you look down upon it from a height. How- 
ever, that point is settled.” 

But they would see our masts above the rocks, Fran- 
cisco ; they are sure to keep a sharp lookout as they gO' 
along.” 

^^We must take the masts out of her,” Francis said.- 
donT know how it is to he done, hut the captain will 
know, and if that can^t he managed we must cut them 
down. There is no difficulty about that. How we will 
make our way hack again ; it will be dark in a couple of' 
hours^ time. Everything depends upon whether they have 
towed the Lido out and anchored her among their galleys. 
If they have I fear the scheme is impracticable, but if 
they let her remain where she is lying we might get her 
out without being noticed, for there is no moon.” 

As they began to ascend the cliff Francis stopped sud- 
denly. 

‘ ^ We should never be able to find this place in the dark,” 
he said. Giuseppi, you must stay here. Do you collect 
a quantity of dried sticks, and lay them in readiness at 
that point opposite the ledge ; we will show a light as we 


168 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


come along, that is if we succeed in getting the Lido out, 
and directly you see it set fire to the sticks ; the fire will 
be a guide to us as to the position of the rocks.” 

Perhaps I had better take the sticks off to the ledge, 
Messer Francisco, and light my fire on the rock at the end. 
The water is deep a few yards out, as we found, so you 
could sail close to the fire and then round behind the rocks 
without danger.” 

That will be the best way, Giuseppi ; but how will 
you get the sticks off without wetting them ?” 

I will make a bundle three or four times as big as I 
want,” Giuseppi said, and then half of them will be dry. 
I can put my clothes on them and the tinder. I will 
answer for the fire, but I would rather have been with you 
in your adventure.” 

There will be no danger there, Giuseppi, so you need 
not be anxious about us ; it has to be done quietly and 
secretly, and there will be no fighting. These Genoese are 
too strong to think of that ; and if we are discovered in the 
attempt, or as we make off, we shall take to our boats again 
and row straight on shore. Keep a sharp lookout for us ; 
we will hoist two lights, one above the other, to prevent 
your mistaking any fishing-boat which may be coming 
along for us. Now, Matteo, for a climb ; we have no time 
to lose.” 

The two lads climbed to the top of the cliff, and then 
started at a brisk pace along the top, and in half an hour 
reached the wood. 

We were beginning to wonder what had become of 
you,” the captain said as they Joined him. 

^^We have been settling how to carry off the Lido,” 
Francis said, ^^and have arranged everything.” 

The captain laughed. 

If we could fiy with her through the air you might 
get her away, but I see no other way. I have been think- 
ing it over since you left. With luck we might get her 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


169 


safely out of the bay, but the galleys row four feet to our 
one, and as they would be sure to send some one way and 
some the other along the coast, they would pick us up 
again in two or three hours after daylight.” 

^^Nevertheless we have settled it, captain. We have 
found a place where we can hide her, and the Genoese 
might search the coast for a month without finding her.” 

If that be so it is possible,” the captain said eagerly, 

and you may be sure you will not find us backward in 
doing our best.” 

Francis described the nature and position of the rock 
which would afford a shelter, and the means by which they 
had ascertained that there was plenty of water for the Lido 
behind it. 

It seems plausible,” the captain said when he had con- 
cluded, ^^and I am quite ready to make the attempt if, in 
'*70ur opinion, it can be done. You are Messer Polani’s rep- 
resentative, and for my own sake as well as his I would 
do anything which promises a chance of recapturing the 
ship ; besides, as you say, there is little danger in it, for 
we can take to the boats and make for the shore if dis- 
covered. The Lido is still lying where we anchored her. 
They can have no fear of a recapture, for they would know 
that they could overtake us easily enough. I dare say 
they intend to sail to-morrow morning, and did not think 
it worth the trouble to get up the anchor and tow her out 
to where they are lying.” 

The details of the expedition were now discussed and 
arranged, and the men told off to their various duties, and 
at eleven o’clock at night, when all in the town were fast 
asleep, the party quitted the bivouac and marched down 
again to the port. 


170 


THE LION OF ST. MABK. 


CHAPTER X. 

EECAPTUKED. 

No ONE was astir in the streets as the band marched 
through and they reached the port without encountering 
a single person. A small boat was chosen, and in this the 
captain, Francis, Matteo, and two of the strongest and 
most powerful of the sailors embarked. It was thought un- 
likely that, lying as the Lido did, within a couple of hun- 
dred yards of the Genoese galleys, any very vigilant watch 
would be kept and not more than two sailors would probably 
be on deck. 

The dark mass of the ship could just be made out from 
the shore, and when all was ready the two sailors with their 
oars n ashed off with all their strength, and then stood per- 
fectly quiet. The impetus was sufficient. The boat 
moved so slowly through the water, indeed, before they 
reached the ship that Francis thought it would be necessary 
for the men to row a stroke or two, but the boat still 
moved on until at last it touched the side of the ship. All 
had removed their boots before starting, and they now 
clambered up the sides without making the slightest noise. 

Once on deck they stood perfectly quiet, listening. 
Presently they heard a murmur of voices on the other side 
of the vessel. Very quietly they crept toward the sound, 
and at length made out two figures leaning over the bul- 
warks talking. Each man^s work had been settled, and 
there was no confusion. One of the sailors and Francis 
stole toward one of the men, while the other and Matteo 
approached the second. The captain stood with his sword 


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THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


171 


bared in readiness to cut down any other man who might 
be on deck. The Genoese did not look round. 

Francis gave the word, ^^Kow,"’ and in a moment the 
two sailors seized them from behind with a grasp of iron, 
while the lads at the same moment passed bandages tightly 
round their mouths, and before the Genoese were quite 
aware of what had happened they were lying bound hand and 
foot gagged upon the deck. The party now made a search, 
but found no one else about. They then secured and fast- 
ened down the hatch of the forecastle by coiling ropes 
upon it, quietly opened the door leading to the poop cabins, 
and entering, seized and bound two officers sleeping there 
without the slightest noise or resistance. Then they tock 
a light from the cabin and showed it toward the shore. 

At the signal the sailors, who had already taken their 
places in the boats, at once rowed out to the vessel. When 
all were on board, the boats were fastened alongside in 
case it should be necessary to abandon the ship again. 
The cable was then cut. One of the sailors had already 
ascended the shrouds and poured oil over the blocks 
through which the halyards ran so that the sails should 
ascend noiselessly. The wind was very light, scarcely 
enough to belly out the sails, but it was fortunately in the 
right direction, and the Lido began to steal through the 
water. Not a word had been spoken since they first start- 
ed, but Francis now whispered to the captain, I think I 
can make out the Genoese ships. 

So can 1 /^ the captain said, ^^but they cannot see us ; 
they are against the sky-line, while we are in the shadow 
of the shore ; so far all is perfectly safe, and if this breath 
of wind will but carry us far enough out to be able to use 
our oars without their hearing us we shall certainly get 
away.^^ 

The progress of the Lido was so slow that it was nearly 
an hour before the captain said that he thought they were 
now fairly round the point of the bay and could use their 


172 


THE LION OF ST. HARK. 


oars. We liad better tow/^ he said ; the sweeps make 
a noise that can be heard miles away on a calm night like 
this, whereas, if they are careful, men in a boat can row 
almost noiselessly.'’^ 

Ten of the men accordingly took their places in one of 
the large boats in which they had come on board, and a 
rope being passed down to them they began rowing at the 
head of the ship. 

^‘^We may as well lower the sails, the captain said; 
^^they are doing no good now. Indeed I think it is a 
current rather than the wind that has helped us so far.'’^ 
will put two lanterns over the side/’ Francis said. 
^^We may have gone further than we think, and it would 
never do to pass our hiding-place. 

. The men in the boat rowed vigorously, but it was slow 
work towing the deeply laden vessel. At last, however, a 
light burst suddenly up from the shore. 

There is Giuseppi,” Francis exclaimed. ^^We are 
further out than we thought we were. He must be fully 
a mile and a half away.” 

The men in the boat were told to row direct for the light, 
and some of the sweeps were .got out and helped the vessel 
through the water. 

As they drew near they could make out Giuseppi throw- 
ing fresh wood on the fire. 

You can steer within ten yards of where he is stand- 
ing, captain, and directly you are abreast of him put your 
helm hard to port. You had better get the sweeps in now, 
the less way she has on her the better.” 

All well ? ” Giuseppi hailed, as they came within fifty 
yards of it. 

All well, Giuseppi ! There has been no fighting, so 
you have lost nothing. Put all your wood on the fire, we 
want as much light as we can to get in.” 

The fiames shot up high, and the captain had no dif- 
ficulty in rounding the corner of the rocks and bringing 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


173 


up his vessel behind them. A hedge was dropped, and 
the men in the boat rowed to the end of the rocks and 
brought off Giuseppi. 

was beginning to be anxious,” the lad said, as he 
joined them on deck, and when I first saw your signal I 
took you for a fishing-boat ; you were so far off that the 
two lights looked like one, but by dint of gazing I made 
them out at last, and then lit the fire.” 

Now, captain,” Francis said, we have a good deal to 
do before morning, for I take it it will be no easy matter 
to get out the masts.” 

There would be no difficulty in getting the masts out,” 
the captain answered. I have only to knock out the 
wedges and loosen the stays, and get up a tripod made of 
three spars to lift them out ; but I donT see how they are 
to be got in again.” 

How is that, captain ? I should have thought it no 
more difficult to get a mast in than to take it out.” 

Nor would it be so under ordinary circumstances,” 
the captain replied ; but you see our hold is full of grain, 
and as the mast comes out the hole it leaves will fill up 
and there will be no getting it down again to step it on 
the keel without discharging the cargo.” 

Yes, I see that, captain. Then you think we had bet- 
ter cut down the masts ; but in that case how are we to 
raise them again ? ” 

We will cut them off about six feet above the deck, 
Messer Francisco ; then when we want to set sail again we 
have only to rear the masts up by the side of the stumps, 
and lash them securely. Of course they will be six feet 
shorter than before, but that is of little consequence.” 

^^Then so let it be,” Francis said, ^^the sooner we begin 
the better.” 

Just at this moment there was a violent knocking against 
the hatch of the forecastle. 

I had forgotten all about the sailors,” the captain said, 


174 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


laughing. suppose the men who were to relieve the 
watch have woke up, and finding they could not get out 
have aroused their comrades. 

Shall we leave them there, or take them out and bind 
them ? Matteo asked. 

We had better have them up,^^ the captain said. I 
don’t suppose there are more than twenty of them, and it 
would be best to bind them and put them down in the 
hold with the corn, otherwise they may manage to break 
out when we are not expecting it, and might give us some 
trouble.” 

Accordingly, the sailors gathered round the hatch, 
the ropes were then removed and the hatch taken off. 

What fooling are you up to ? ” one of the Genoese ex- 
claimed angrily, as they rushed up on deck. You have 
nearly stifled us down below putting on the hatch and 
fastening it.” He stopped abruptly as, on gaining the 
deck, he saw a crowd of armed figures round him, for a 
lantern had been placed so as to throw a light upon the 
spot. 

^^You are prisoners,” the captain said. ^^It is useless 
to attempt resistance.” 

Help, help, treachery ! ” one of the Genoese shouted at 
the top of his voice. 

It is useless for yon to shout,” the captain said, you 
are miles away from your fleet. Now, do you surrender, 
or are we to attack you ? ” 

Taken by surprise and unarmed, the Genoese who had 
gained the deck sullenly replied that they surrendered. 
They were bound and led away, and the others ordered to 
come up on deck. They were found to be twenty-four 
in all, and these were soon laid side by side on the grain 
in the hold, the hatch being left off to give them air. 
The masts were then cut through, and were with some 
trouble lowered to the deck. 

There is nothing more to be done now,” the captain 


THE LION OF ST. MARE. 


175 


eaid, ''and I think we can all safely turn in till morning.*’ 
He then ordered the under officer to place two men on 
watch on the rocks and two men on deck, two men to 
stand as sentinels over the prisoners, and the rest to lie 
down. He directed that he should be roused at the ear- 
liest streak of daylight. The lads were soon fast asleep, 
and could hardly believe that the night was over when 
Giuseppi awakened them with the news that day was 
breaking. They were soon on deck, and found that the 
crew were already astir. The sentinels on the rock were 
at once ordered to lie down, so that they could command 
a view of the sea without exposing themselves to sight. 
The boats were drawn up alongside, and everything put 
in readiness for instant debarkation, and then the party 
waited for the appearance of the Genoese galleys. 

" They will be along in less than an hour," the captain 
said. "It is light enough now for the watch to have dis- 
covered that the Lido is missing, and it will not be many 
minutes before they are under way. They will calculate 
that we can have but five or six hours’ start at the utmost, 
and that three hours’ rowing will bring them up to 
us.” 

" I have no fear whatever of their discovering us as they 
go along,” Francis said. " The only fear is that after 
rowing for three or four hours and seeing no sign of us 
they will guess that we are hidden somewhere under the 
cliffs, and will come back along the shore, searching every 
bay.” 

"There is a chance of that,” the captain agreed, "but 
I should think only a chance. When the party who come 
this way find they do not overtake us they will suppose 
that we have sailed to the west, and that on their return 
they will find us in the hands of their comrades, and when 
these also come back empty handed they will conclude that 
we have sailed straight out to sea. Of course they may 
have sent a galley southward also, but will conclude that 


176 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


that has somehow missed us when it returns without news. 
I hardly think that the idea that we may be hidden so 
close to them will enter their minds, and the only fear I 
entertain is that some peasant may happen to come to the 
edge of the cliff and see us lying here, ^nd may take the 
news back to Grirgenti.^’ 

Yes, there is certainly a danger of that,^^ Francis said. 

I think, captain, it would be the best plan to land twenty 
men at once. Giuseppi will show them the way up the 
cliff, and then they must take their station at short dis- 
tances apart along the edge of the cliff, from point to point 
of this little bay, with orders to seize any one who may 
approach and bring him down here. They must, of course, 
be told to lie down, as a line of sentries along the top of 
the cliff might attract the attention of somebody on the 
galleys, and lead to a search.” 

^‘^Yes, I think that will be a wise precaution,” the cap- 
tain agreed. ^^Thomaso, do you take twenty men and 
post them as you hear Messer Francisco say. Tell them 
to lie in the bushes and keep out of sight, and on no ac- 
count to show themselves unless some one comes along 
sufficiently near to look over the edge of the cliff.” 

Giuseppi,” Francis said, do you act as guide to the 
party. You will have plenty of time to get to the top and 
to return before the galleys come along.” 

A quarter of an hour later the captain with Matteo and 
Francis landed on the ledge and took the place of the 
sentries, and in twenty minutes a simultaneous exclama- 
tion burst from them as a Genoese galley was seen rowing 
rapidly along. 

They have sent only one galley,” Francis said. Of 
course they would know that it was sufficiently strong to 
overpower us without difficulty. I suppose one has gone 
west and the others have put out to sea in different direc- 
tions ; that certainly was the best course they could have 
adopted, and it is very lucky that we did not attempt to 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 177 

escape seaward, for they would assuredly have had us. I 
suppose, captain, you intend to sail to-night.^' 

Certainly,” the captain replied. We will get every- 
thing in readiness for hoisting the masts as soon as the 
galley has passed us on its way back. There is no fear of 
their coming along again later on, for the men will have 
had an eight hours^ row of it, the first part, at any rate, at 
full speed ; besides, they will not know until all the gal- 
leys return that we have not been found, so I think it will 
be quite safe to get up the masts as soon as they have 
passed. Then directly it is dark we will man our oars and 
row to the southwest. We shall be far away before morn- 
ing, even if they look further for us, which they are hardly 
likely to do.” 

^^How about the prisoners, captain ?” 

We have no choice but to take them with us, Messer 
Francisco. I am sure I do not want to be bothered with 
them, but we cannot land them before we leave, or they 
would carry the news to Girgenti in an hour, and we should 
be caught the first thing in the morning.” 

It was late in the afternoon before the galley was seen 
returning, rowing slowly and heavily. 

I expect,” the captain said, they kept up the racing 
pace at which they started for some four hours ; by that 
tiem they must have been completely worn out, and no 
doubt they anchored and waited for some hours for the 
men to feed and rest themselves, for from the hurry with 
which they started you may be sure that they did not wait 
to break their fast. I would give a month^s pay to be in 
that harbor this evening. What tempers they must be in 
when they find, after all their toil, that we have slipped 
through their fingers ; how they will talk the matter over, 
and discuss which way we went ; how the men in each 
ship will say that the others cannot have used their eyes 
or exerted themselves, else we must have been overtaken. 
Messer Francisco, I am indebted to you, not only for har- 

13 


178 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


ing saved the ship, but for giving me a joke, which I shall 
laugh over whenever I think of it. It will be a grand 
story to tell over the wine-cups, how we cheated a whole 
Genoese fleet, and carried off the Lido from under their 
noses. What a tale it will be to relate to a Genoese, when 
we meet in some port after the war is over ; it will be 
enough to make him dance with rage. 

Now, lads,” he went on, turning to the men, stand 
to your tackle. The moment that galley gets out of sight 
round the point, up with the mast.” 

Ten minutes later the masts were up, stout ropes were 
lashed round them and the stumps, and wedges driven in 
to tighten the cords to the utmost. The rigging was of 
the simplest description, and before dark everything was 
in readiness for hoisting the sails. 

donT think they can make us out now,” the captain 

said. 

I don’t think they could,” Francis agreed ; but we 
had better wait another quarter of an hour ; it would be 
absurd to run any risk* after everything has turned out so 
well ; but the men can get into the boats and tow us out 
through the channel ; then we can hoist the boats on board, 
and by that time it should be nearly dark enough.” 

I think there will be a breeze presently,” the captain 
said, and from the right direction. However, the men 
won’t mind working hard for a bit i they have had an 
easy time for the last two days.” 

The oars were all manned, and the men set to work with 
hearty good will. They were delighted at their escape 
from the island, for they might have been there some time 
before they got a passage back, and still more pleased at 
having tricked the Genoese ; and the Lido, heavy laden as 
she was, moved at a steady pace through the water under 
the impulsion of the oars. 

For an hour they rowed parallel with the shore, as, had 
they made out to sea, they might possibly have been seen 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


179 


by one of the galleys returning late from the search for 
them. At the end of that time the captain turned her 
head from shore. As soon as they got well out from under 
the shelter of the land the breeze made itself felt, and the 
sails were hoisted. For a time the men kept on rowing, 
but the breeze increased rapidly, and the captain ordered 
the oars to be laid in. A double allowance of wine was 
served out, and an hour or two spent in song and hilarity ; 
then the watch below was sent down, and Francis and Mat- 
teo turned into their cots. 

In the morning the breeze was blowing strong ; the sails 
had been taken olf the mainmast, but that on the foremast 
was dragging the Lido through the water at a good rate of 
spo'^d, and before night they were off Cape Spartivento. 
The wind held till next morning, when they were abreast 
of the Gulf of Taranto. Then came a long spell of 
calms or baffling winds, and it was a fortnight before the 
campaniles of Venice were seen rising apparently from the 
water. 

I have been anxious about you,'' Signor Polani said 
when Francis arrived. One of our galleys brought the 
report that a Genoese fleet was cruising on the coast of 
Sicily, and as, although war had not yet been openly de- 
clared, both parties were making prizes, I was afraid that 
they might have snapped you up.” 

They did snap us up,” Francis said, smiling. They 
caught us in the port of Girgenti, and the standard of 
Genoa waved over the Lido.” 

But how can that be,” Polani said, when you have 
returned in her ? for she was signaled as approaching the 
port hours ago. You could hardly have persuaded the 
Genoese by fair words to release a prize that they had once 
taken. Eh, captain ? ” 

'No, that is not the Genoese way, nor ours either,” the 
captain said. We did better than that, signor ; we re- 
captured her, and carried her off from under their noses/ 


180 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


You are joking/'’ Polani said, ^^for they signaled the 
Lido as returning laden, and a laden ship could never get 
away from state galleys, however long her start. A fat 
pig might as soon try to escape from a hunting dog.^^ 

That is so, Messer Polani, and we did not trust to 
our speed : we tricked them famously, sir. At least, when 
I say we did, Messer Francisco here did, for the credit is 
due solely to him. If it had not been for this young gen- 
tleman I and the crew would now have been camping out 
in the forests of Sicily, without the slightest prospect of 
being able to make our way home, and the Lido would 
now be moored in the port of Grenoa.^^ 

That is so. Cousin Polani,” Matteo said. It is to 
Francisco that we owe our escape, and you owe the safety 
of the Lido and her cargo.” 

It was just a happy idea that occurred to me,” Francis 
said, ^^asit would assuredly have occurred to Captain Peso- 
ro, if he had been with us, or to any one else, and after 
I had first suggested it the captain carried out all the 
arrangements.” 

Not at all, Messer Francisco,” the captain said ob- 
stinately. I had no part or hand in the business beyond 
doing what you suggested, and you would have got the 
Lido off just as well if I hadnT been there.” 

^^Well, I will judge for myself when I hear,” Polani 
said . ^ But, as it mu st be an interesting story, my daughters 
would like to hear it also ; so come into the next room and 
tell the tale, and I will order up a fiagon of Cyprus wine 
to moisten your throats.” 

First of all,” the captain began, after the girls had 
greeted Francis, and all had taken their seats. I must 
tell how the Lido was captured.” And he then related 
how the Genoese fleet had suddenly appeared before them, 
and how, seeing the impossibility of escape, he had sent 
all on shore with the exception of four sailors, and how he 
had with them been released and sent on shore. 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


181 


That's the Genoese all over/' Polani said. If they 
could have sent forty prisoners home they would have 
done so ; hut the fact that there were only five on hoard 
when they took the vessel would seem to them to detract 
from the credit of the capture." 

The captain then told how, fearing that the people of 
Girgenti might give them all up to the Genoese, or that 
fights might ensue among the Genoese sailors who landed, 
he had marched the crew away out of the town. 

Kow, captain,^' Matteo broke in, I will tell the next bit, 
because I was with Francis when he found a hiding-place." 

He then related how Francis had seen the ledge of rocks 
in the distance, and had dragged him along the clifi two 
miles to observe them more closely ; and how he had 
come to the conclusion that his companion had lost his 
senses ; then he described the exact position and the clear- 
ness of the water, and how he had been convinced that 
there was not depth to fioat a row-boat inside the rocks ; 
and how they had gone down, swum out, fathomed the 
water, and then returned to the wood. 

The captain then took up the tale again, and completed 
it to the end. 

There is no doubt you were right, captain," Polani 
said, and that it is entirely Francisco's quickness of ob- 
servation, readiness of plan, and determination to see if 
his ideas could be carried into effect, which saved the 
Lido. That he possessed these qualities is not new to 
me, for I have already greatly benefited by them. If he 
had not been born a peaceful trader he would have made a 
great captain some day ; but the qualities which would 
distinguish a man in war are also useful in peace, and I 
think it fully as honorable to be a successful merchant as 
a successful soldier. Henceforth, Francisco, I shall no 
longer consider you as in leading strings, and shall feel that 
I can confide important business to you, young as you are." 

The next voyage that Francis made was to Jaffa, and 


182 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


this was accomplished without adventure. On his return 
he found that Venice was in a state of excitement — war 
had at last been declared, and every effort was being made 
to fit out a fleet which could cope with that of Genoa. 
The command was intrusted to Vettore Pisani, who was 
invested in the church of St. Mark with the supreme com- 
mand of the fleet by the doge himself, who handed to the 
admiral the great banner of Venice, with the words : 

You are destined by God to defend with your valor 
this republic, and to retaliate upon those who have dared 
to insult her and to rob her of that security which she 
owes to the virtue of her ancestors ; wherefore, we con- 
fide to you this victorious and great standard which it 
will be your duty to restore to us unsullied and trium- 
phant.^^ 

Carlo Zeno, a noble who had gained a high reputation 
in various capacities, was appointed commissioner and 
captain-general of Negropont. The three first divisions 
of those inscribed in the register, as liable to serve in the 
navy, were called out, and on the 24th of April Pisani 
sailed from Venice with fourteen war galleys. 

Pisani enjoyed the highest popularity among the people 
of Venice ; his manner was that of a bluff, hearty sailor. 
He was always ready to share in the hardships of his men, 
and to set them an example of good temper and cheerful- 
ness, as well as of bravery. He was quick-tempered, and 
when in a passion cared nothing whom he struck ; when 
governor of Candia he had got into a serious scrape by 
striking Pietro Cornaro, an officer of the republic, from 
whom he happened to differ on some point of routine. 

He was a relative of the Doge Andrea Contarini, and 
had been employed not only as an officer in the navy, but 
as a military engineer and as a diplomatist, and in each 
capacity had shown equal talent. He was connected with 
the Polani family, and was at their house several times 
before he sailed. Here he heard from his kinsman an 


THE LION OF 8T. MARK. 


183 


account of the manner in which Francisco had saved the 
Bonito from being rammed by the pirates, and how he 
had succeeded in getting the Lido out of the hands of the 
Genoese ; and he was so much pleased that he offered to 
take him with him in his galley, but Polani advised Francis 
not to accept the offer. 

is quite true,^Mie said, ^Hhat most of our noble 
families are, like myself, engaged in commerce, and that 
one day they are trading as merchants and the next fight- 
ing under the state ; but at present, if you take my advice 
you will stick to the peaceful side of the profession, es- 
pecially as, being an Englishman, you are in no way called 
upon to serve the state. In another five or six years, if 
we are then at war, it will be different. I have frequently 
offered galleys for the service of the state, and you can 
then take the command of one, and will, I have no doubt, 
distinguish yourself ; but were you to enter now, you 
might remain in the service of the state for some years, 
and would be losing your time as a merchant. There 
are countries in which when a man once takes up the pro- 
fession of arms he remains a soldier all his life, and may 
not only achieve honor but wealth and wide possessions. 
It is not so in Venice ; here we are all citizens as well as 
all soldiers if need be. We fight for the state while a war 
lasts, and then return to our peaceful avocations. Even 
my kinsman, Pisani, may he admiral of the fleet to-day, 
and a week hence may be a private citizen. Therefore, 
my lad, I think it would be very foolish of you to give up 
commerce at present to take military service." 

I quite agree with you, signor," Francis said, although, 
in truth, for a moment he had felt a strong mind to accept 
the offer of Pisani. I am just beginning to learn a little 
of trade, and desire nothing better than to be a successful 
merchant ; though I confess that I should like to take 
part in such a glorious sea-fight as that which is likely to 
take place soon." 


184 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


Yes, and perhaps be killed in the first engagement, 
Francis, for neither skill nor bravery avail against a bolt 
from a Genoese crossbow. No, my lad, be content with 
trade, especially since you have seen already that even the 
life of a trader has plenty of incident and excitement. 
What with storms, what with pirates, what with the 
enemies of the state and the treachery of the native peo- 
ples with whom we trade, there is no lack of adventure in 
the life of a Venetian merchant.^’ ' 

Francis felt that this was true, and that he had in the 
past six months had fully his share in adventures. His 
stay on shore this time extended over a month, and it was 
not until three weeks after Pisani sailed that he again set 
out. The notice was a short one. Polani had been sent 
for to attend the council early in the morning, and on his 
return he said to Francis : 

You must go down to the port at once, Francis. 
News has been received from Pisani that he has sailed 
almost into the port of Genoa, without finding the fleet of 
Fieschi. The Genoese have been in a terrible state of 
panic. The Lord of Fiesole, who is our ally, is menacing 
the city by land, the Stella Company of Condottieri, which 
is in our pay, is also marching against them ; and the 
news that Pisani was close at hand seems to have fright- 
ened them out of their senses. Their first step as usual 
has been to depose their doge and choose another. How- 
ever, that is not the point. Pisani has written asking 
that some ships with provisions and stores shall be sent 
out to him. They are to go through the Straits of Mes- 
sina and up the coast of Italy until he meets them. His 
force is far too small for him to think of making an attack 
upon Genoa. He will wait in the neighborhood of the city 
for a short time in hopes of Fieschi^s fleet returning ; if it 
does not do so he will come down the coast searching for 
it, and as he does not wish to put in port, he desires the 
stores mentioned to be sent out to him. 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 18 & 

I have placed the Bonito at their service, and have 
promised that she shall be ready to sail to-morrow morn- 
ing, if they will send the stores on board to-day. Three 
other merchants placed ships at their disposal, but these 
may not sail for a day or two. They are particularly anx- 
ious that the Bonito shall start at once, as, in addition to 
provisions, she will carry a store of javelins, arrows, and 
other missiles, of which there was not a sufficiency in the 
arsenal when Pisani sailed. You will have a strong party 
on board, as speed is required, and the oars must be kept 
going until you join the fleet ; therefore I shall place the 
crew of the Lido on board as well as the Bonito^s own com- 
plement, and this will bring the number up to a hundred 
men. The captain has had an accident, and will not be 
ahle to go in charge, therefore the Lido^s captain will com- 
mand. This time I shall appoint you speciflcally second 
in command, as well as my representative. Now get off 
on board as quickly as you can, for there is enough to 
keep you at work till to-morrow morning to get every- 
thing in readiness for a start. You had best run in and 
say good-bye to my daughters, as it may be that you will 
not And time to return before sailing. You can send 
your boy ashore for what things you require. Matteo 
will accompany you.^^ 

A few minutes later Francis was on his way to the port, 
leaving Giuseppi to charter a gondola and follow with his 
trunks. As Polani had said, he was occupied without in- 
termission until the time for sailing next morning. The 
barges of the state kept coming alongside with stores and 
provisions from the arsenal, while other boats brought out. 
the ship^s stores ; and Francis had to take a note of all 
that came on board. The captain superintended the setting^ 
up of the rigging, and the getting of the ship into work- 
ing order, while the under officers saw to the hoisting in 
and storing of the cargo. Gangs of men were at work tar- 
ring the sides of the ship, for she had only two days bef ore^ 


186 


THE LION OF ST. MARK 


returned from a trip to Spain ; and a number of sailors 
were unloading the cargo from one hatchway, while her 
fresh freight was being taken in at the other. It seemed 
well-nigh impossible that she could be ready to sail at the 
hour named, but every one worked with a will, and by day- 
break things were in almost perfect order. 

Polani himself came down to the port as soon as it was 
light, and expressed satisfaction at the work which had 
been done ; and half an hour afterward the anchor was 
weighed. Just as the sails had been hoisted, Matteo ar- 
rived. 

You are only just in time, Matteo,^^ Polani said ; why 
did you not come off yesterday and help ? ” 

I was out," Matteo said, when your message came, 
and only returned just in time to go to the entertainment 
at the ducal palace ; I knew I could be of no use on board 
while they were only getting in the cargo." 

You will never be of any use on board, Matteo, if you 
go to entertainments when there’s work to be done. You 
could have taken the marks on the bales as they came on 
board just as well as another. I suppose you thought 
that the dirt and dust wouldn’t suit a fine gentleman like 
you ? Another time, unless you come on board when 
sent for, and make yourself as useful as you can while the 
ship is fitting out and loading, you will not sail in her. 
One part of the duty is just as important as the other, and 
seamanship does not consist solely in strolling up and down 
the deck, and watching a vessel sail for her destination." 

Matteo was abashed at the reproach, but soon recovered 
his usual spirits after Polani had left when the vessel was 
under way. 

My cousin was rather in a sharp mood this morning," 
he said with a laugh to Francis ; but really I did not 
think I could be of any good, and the entertainment was 
a grand one. Every one was there, and I should have 
been very sorry to have missed it." 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


187 


Every one to his taste, Matteo. For my part I would 
very much rather have been at work here all night watch- 
ing the cargo got in and checking it off, than have been 
standing about doing nothing in the palace.” 

Doing nothing ! ” Matteo repeated indignantly. 
** Why, I was talking to some one the whole time I was 
there.” 

Talking about what, Matteo ?” 

The heat, and the music, and the costumes, and the 
last bit of scandal at the Piazza.” 

I don^t call that talk, I call it chatter. And now, Mat- 
teo, I shall leave you to your own devices, for I am going 
to turn in and get a sleep for a few hours.” 

^^You look as if you wanted it,” Matteo said; ^^but 
I think that you stand in even more need of a wash. You 
are grimy with dost. It is just as well that my cousin 
Giulia did not come on board with her father this morning, 
for the sight of your face would have given her quite a 
shock, and would have dissipated any illusions she may 
have had that you were a good-looking fellow.” 

Francis went off to his cabin wtth a laugh, and took 
Matteo^s advice as to the wash before he turned in. In a 
few minutes he was asleep, and did not wake until Giu- 
seppi came to say that the midday meal was just ready. 

The Bonito made a rapid voyage. The winds were light, 
and for the most part favorable, and the twenty-four oars 
were kept going night and day, the men relieving each 
other every two hours, so that they had six hours^ rest be- 
tween the spells of rowing. When they rounded the south- 
ern point of Italy a sharp lookout was kept for the fleet 
of Fieschi, but they passed through the straits without 
catching sight of a single vessel carrying the Genoese flag. 
The most vigilant watch was now kept for Pisani^s galleys, 
and they always anchored at the close of day, lest they 
should pass him in the dark. Occasionally they overhauled 
a fishing-boat, and endeavored to obtain news of the two 


188 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


squadrons ; but beyond the fact that Fieschi had been 
seen steering north some days before, and that no signs 
had been seen of Pisani’s returning fleet, they could learn 
nothing. 



t 


* ■■ 1 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


189 


CHAPTER XI. 

THE BATTLE OF ANTIUM. 

We are running very far north,” the captain said on 
the 29th of May. We are near Antium now, and are 
getting into what we may call Genoese waters. If any- 
thing has occurred to prevent Pisani carrying out his in- 
tention of sailing back along this coast, or if he has passed 
us on the way up, our position would be a hazardous one, 
for as soon as he has rowed away the Genoese galleys will 
be on the move again, and even if we do not fall in 
with Fieschi we may be snapped up by one of their 
cruisers.” 

It is rather risky, captain,” Francis agreed ; but 
our orders are distinct. We were to sail north till we 
met Pisani, and we must do so till we are within sight of 
the walls of Genoa. If we then see he is not lying off 
the port we shall put about and make our way back 
again.” 

Yes, if they give us the chance, Messer Francisco ; 
but long before we are sufficiently near to Genoa to make 
out whether Pisani is lying off the port they will see us 
from the hills, and will send off a galley to bring us in. 
However, we must take our chance, and if we get into 
a scrape I shall look to you confidently to get us out 
again.” 

I should advise you not to count on that,” Francis 
said, laughing. It is not always one gets such a lucky 
combination of circumstances as we did at Girgenti.” 

At last they obtained news from a fishing-boat that 


TEE LION OF ^hAliK. 


no 

Fieschi^s fleet had passed, going northward, on the pre- 
vious day, and was now lying in the bay of Antiura. As 
Antium lay but a few miles north they held a consultation 
as to the best method to pursue. If they sailed on there 
was a risk of capture ; but that risk did not appear to be 
very great. The Genoese admiral would not expect to And 
a Venetian merchant ship so near to Genoa, and they 
might be able to pass without being interfered with. On 
the other hand, news might possibly have come of the de- 
parture of store-ships from Venice for Pisanos fleet, and 
in that case a strict lookout would certainly be kept, and 
it would be necessary to keep so far to sea as to be out of 
sight of the Genoese ; but in that case there would be a 
risk of their missing Pisani^s fleet on the way there down. 

think, the captain said after a long debate, that 
we had better anchor here close under the shore to-night. 
If I am not mistaken we shall have a gale in the morning. 
I do not like the look of the sky. To-morrow we shall see 
how the weather is, and can then come to a decision. 

By morning, as the captain had predicted, the wind was 
blowing strongly and a heavy sea was running, and it was 
agreed to keep along under the lee of the shore until they 
could obtain a view of the Bay of Antium, and see if the 
fleet of Fieschi was still there ; if so, they would tack and 
run back some distance and make straight out to sea, so 
as to pass along four or flve miles from the shore, as it 
would be unlikely in the extreme that the Genoese admiral 
would send a galley out to overhaul a passing ship in such 
weather. 

They sailed along till they neared the slight depression 
known as the Bay of Antium, and then bore further out 
to sea. 

Suddenly a fleet was seen running down the coast at 
some distance away. 

^Bout ship,^^ the captain cried. The Genoese have 
been cruising further north, and are coming down the coast. 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


191 

In such weather as this the Bonito ought to be able to get 
away from them.” 

It may be Pisani's fleet,” Francis said, as the ship was 
put round. 

""It is possible,” the captain agreed ; "‘ but we cannot 
run the risk of stopping until we make inquiries.” 

""No, captain ; but, at least, if we run a mile or so out 
to sea we should be able to see round the point and discover 
whether FieschPs galleys are there.” 

The captain assented. The vessePs head was turned 
from the land. In ten minutes there was a joyous shout 
on board the Bonito, for the Genoese fleet was seen lying 
in the bay. The distant fleet must then form that of 
Pisani. 

""See!” Francis exclaimed; ""the Genoese have just 
caught sight of them, and are hoisting sail. They are 
either going to meet them or to run away. Our vessels are 
':he most numerous ; but no, there is not much difference. 
Pisani has fourteen ships, but some must be lagging be- 
hind, or have been lost. How many do you make them 
out to be, captain ? ” 

" " I think there are only nine,” the captain answered, 
""and that is just the number of the Genoese.” 

""Then Fieschi will flght if he is not a coward,” Matteo 
said ; "" but, in that case, why are they making out to 
sea ?” 

"" Fieschi may not care to be attacked at anchor,” the 
captain replied ; "" that would give all the advantage to 
us ; besides, if they were beaten there would be but little 
chance of any of them escaping. No, he is right to make 
out to sea, but blowing as it is it will be next to impossible 
for him to flght there. Two vessels could hardly get 
alongside to board in such a sea as this. I expect Fieschi 
thinks that we shall never attack him in such a storm ; but 
Pisani would flght if it were a hurricane.” 

It did indeed seem almost impossible to fight in such a 


192 


THE LION OF ST MARK, 


sea. The Bonito was rolling, gunwale under. Her sail 
had been reduced to its smallest proportions, and yet when 
the squalls struck her she was laid completely over on her 
side. But the rival admirals were too anxious to fight to 
be deterred by the difficulty, and both were bent upon 
bringing on an action at once. 

I would give anything to be on board one of our gal- 
leys," Matteo said. ‘‘ It is horrible standing here doing 
nothing when such a fight as this is going to begin." 

Cannot we edge down toward them, captain ? " Fran- 
cis asked. I do not mean that we should take part in 
the fight, for we have but a hundred men, and the galleys 
must each carry at least three times as many. Still, we 
might be near enough to see something, and perhaps to 
give succor to any disabled ship that drops out of the fight." 

I will do so if you like, Messer Francisco," the captain 
eaid, if you will take the responsibility ; but if our side 
gets the worst of it, you must remember that the Bonito 
may be captured." 

don^t think there’s much chance of Pisani being 
beaten by an enemy no stronger than himself," Francis 
said ; and even if they should be victorious the Cenoese 
will certainly have enough on their hands with repairing 
damages and securing prisoners to think of setting off in 
chase of a ship like ours." 

That is true enough," the captain agreed, for he was 
indeed as anxious as Francis and Matteo to witness the 
struggle. 

The vessels on both sides were under canvas, for it was 
impossible to row in such a sea. As soon as they ap- 
proached each other both fleets broke up, and the vessels 
each singling an opponent out, the combat began. It was 
a singular one, and differed widely from ordinary sea-fights 
of the time, in which the combatants always tried to 
grapple with their enemies and carry them by boarding. 
This was almost impossible now, for it seemed that the 


THE LION OF ST. MABK. 


195 


vessels would be dashed in pieces like egg-shells were they 
to strike each other. Clouds of missiles were poured from 
one to the other ; the archers plied their bows ; great ma- 
chines hurled javelins and big stones, and the crash of the 
blows of the latter against the sides of the ships sounded 
even above the noise of the wind and waves and the shout- 
ing of the combatants. As for the cannon with which all 
the galleys were armed, they were far too cumbrous and 
unmanageable to be worked in such weather. 

Sometimes one vessel, lifted on the crest of a wave while 
its opponent lay in a hollow, swept its decks with terrible 
effect, while a few seconds later the advantage was on the 
other side. 

For a long time neither party seemed to gain any ad- 
vantage. Great numbers were killed on both sides, but 
victory did not incline either way until the mast of one 
of the Venetian galleys was struck by a heavy stone and 
went over the side. She at once fell out of the line of the 
battle, her opponent keeping close to her, pouring in 
volumes of missiles, while the sea, taking her on the broad- 
side, washed numbers of her crew overboard. Her oppo- 
nent, seeing that she was altogether helpless, left her to 
be taken possession of afterward, and made for Pisanfs 
galley, which was distinguished by its flag at the masthead, 
and was maintaining a desperate conflict with the galley of 
Fieschi. 

The admiral’s ship was now swept with missiles from 
both sides, and when his adversaries saw that his crew was 
greatly weakened they prepared to close, in spite of the 
state of the sea. If Pisani himself could be captured 
there would remain but seven Venetian ships to the nine 
Genoese, and victory was certain. 

The captain of the Bonito had lashed together some 
heavy spars and thrown them overboard, having fastened a 
strong rope to them, and was riding head to the waves by 
means of this sea anchor, at a distance of about half a 


194 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


mile from the conflict. A cry of grief and rage had arisen 
when the crew saw that one of their galleys was dis- 
abled, and their excitement became intense when they 
saw the unequal struggle which Pisani was maintaining. 

They are preparing to board, captain, Francis said. 

We must go to the admiraPs aid ; if his ship is captured 
the battle is lost.^^ 

I am ready, Messer Francisco, if you authorize me.^’ 

Certainly I do,^’ Francis said. The loss or capture 
of the Bonito is as nothing in comparison to the import- 
ance of saving Pisani.” 

The captain gave the order for the hawser to be cut and 
the sail hoisted. A cheer broke from the crew as they saw 
what was to be done. Their arms had been served out at 
the beginning of the contest, and they now seized them 
and gathered in readiness to take part in the fight. 

The two Genoese galleys had thrown their grapnels and 
made fast, one on each side of PisanPs galley. The bul- 
warks were stove in and splintered as the vessels rolled, 
and the rigging of "the three ships became entangled. 
The Genoese sprang on to the deck of Pisani's galley with 
shouts of triumph, but they were met by the admiral him- 
self, wielding a mighty battle-ax, and the survivors of his 
crew. 

The combat was still raging when the Bonito sailed 
swiftly up. Her sails were lowered as she came alongside, 
and she was lashed to one of the galleys. But this man- 
euver was not performed without loss. As she approached 
with the Venetian fiag flying at her masthead, the Genoese 
archers on the poop of the galley, who had hitherto been 
pouring their missiles among Pisani^s men, turned round 
and opened fire upon this new foe. Their arrows did far 
more execution here than they had done among the armor- 
clad soldiers of the state. The captain fell dead with an 
arrow which struck him full in the throat, and ten or 
twelve of the sailors fell on the deck beside him. 


THE LION OF ST. MARE. 


Id5 

Pour in one volley,” Francis shouted ; then throw 
down your bows, and take to your axes and follow me.” 

The instant the vessel was lashed Francis sprang on to 
the deck of the galley. Matteo was by his side, Giuseppi 
just behind, and the whole crew followed. Climbing first 
upon the poop, they fell upon the archers, who, after a 
short struggle, were cut down ; then, descending again to 
the waist of the galley, they leaped on to the deck of 
Pisani’s ship, and fell upon the rear of the Genoese. 
These were taken completely by surprise. Absorbed in the 
struggle in which they were engaged, they had noticed 
neither the approach of the Bonito, nor the struggle on 
board their own galley, and supposed that another of the 
Venetian war-ships had come up to the assistance of their 
admiral. 

Taken then by surprise, and finding themselves thus 
between two bands of foes, they fought irresolutely, and 
the crew of the Bonito, with their heavy axes, cut down 
numbers of them, and fighting their way through the 
mass, joined the diminished force of Pisani. 

The admiral shouted the battle-cry of ^^St. Mark!” 
His followers, who had begun to give way to despair, ral- 
lied at the arrival of this unlooked-for reinforcement, and 
the whole fell upon the Genoese with fury. 

The latter fought stoutly and steadily now, animated by 
the voice and example of Fieschi himself ; but their as- 
surance of victory was gone, and they were gradually 
beaten back to the deck of their admiraPs ship. Here they 
made desperate efforts to cut the lashings and free the 
vessel ; but the yards had got interlocked and the rigging 
entangled, and the Venetians sprang on to the deck of the 
ship, and renewed the conflict there. For some time the 
struggle was doubtful ; the Genoese had still the advantage 
in numbers, but they were disheartened at the success, 
which they had deemed certain, having been so suddenly 
and unexpectedly snatched from their grasp. 


196 


THE LION OF ST, MARK. 


The presence of Pisani in itself doubled the strength 
of the Venetians. He was the most popular of their com- 
manders^ and each strove to imitate the example which he 
set them. After ten minutes" hard fighting the result was 
no longer doubtful. Many of the Genoese ran below ; 
others threw down their arms ; and their admiral at last, 
seeing further resistance was hopeless, lowered his sword 
and surrendered. 

No sooner had resistance ceased than Pisani turned to 
Francis, who had been fighting by his side : 

thank you, in the name of myself and the republic,” 
he said. ‘ ^ Where you have sprung from, or how you came 
here, I know not. You seem to me to have fallen from 
heaven to our assistance just at the moment when all was 
lost. Who are you ? I seem to know your face, though 
I cannot recall where I have seen it.” 

I am Francis Hammond, Messer Pisani. I had the 
honor of seeing you at the house of my patron. Signor 
Polani, and you were good enough to offer to take me with 
you to sea.” 

Oh, I remember now ! ” Pisani said. But how came 
you here ? ” 

came in the Bonito, one ofPolani"s ships. She 
is lying outside the further of the Venetian galleys. We 
bring from Venice some of the stores for which you sent. 
We were lying off watching the battle, until we saw that 
you were sore beset and in need of help, and could then no 
longer remain inactive. Our captain was killed by an ar- 
row as we ranged up alongside of the galley, and I am now 
in command. This is my friend, Matteo Giustiniani, a 
volunteer on board the Bonito.” 

I remember you. Master Matteo,” Pisani said, as he 
shook him by the hand, I have seen you often at your 
fathers house. I shall have to give him a good account 
of you, for I saw you fighting bravely. But we will talk 
more of this afterward. We must set to work to separate 


THE LION OF ST. MAEK. 


197 


tKj galleys, or we shall have them grinding each other to- 
pieces. Then we must hasten to the assistance of our 
friends/^ 

The Genoese prisoners were all fastened below, and the 
Venetians then set to work to cut the lashings and free the 
rigging of the ships. 

Francis kept only twenty men on board the Bonito ; 
the remainder were distributed between the two captured 
Genoese galleys, and the admiral turned his attention to the 
battle. But it was already almost over. The sight of the 
Venetian flag at the mastheads of the admiraFs ship and 
the other galley struck dismay into the Genoese. Five of 
their ships immediately hoisted all canvas and made off, 
while the other two, surrounded by the Venetian galleys,, 
hauled down their flags. 

The battle had been a sanguinary one, and but eight 
hundred men were found alive on board the four galleys 
captured. The fight is known in history as the battle of 
Porto d^Anzo. 

The struggle had lasted nearly the whole day, and it was 
growing dark when the Venetian fleet, with their prizes, 
anchored under shelter of the land. 

All night long the work of attending upon the wounded 
went on, and it was daybreak before the wearied crews lay 
down for repose. In the afternoon Pisani hoisted a signal 
for the captains of the galleys to come on board ; and in 
their presence he formally thanked Francis, in the name 
of the republic, for the aid he had afforded him at the 
most critical moment. Had it not been for that aid, he- 
acknowledged that he and his crew must have succumbed,, 
and the victory would assuredly have fallen to the Genoese. 

After the meeting was over he took Francis into his cabin 
and again offered him a post in his own ship. 

‘^Were your merit properly rewarded, he said, 1 
would appoint you at once to the command of a galley ; 
but to do so would do you no service, for it would excite 


198 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


against you the jealousy of all the young nobles in the fleet. 
Besides, you are so young that although the council at 
home cannot hut acknowledge the vastness of the service 
you have rendered, they might make your age an excuse 
for refusing to confirm the appointment ; but if you like 
to come as my third officer, I can promise you that you 
shall have rapid promotion, and speedily be in command 
of a galley. We Venetians have no prejudice against 
foreigners. The^ hold very high commands, and indeed, 
our armies in the field are frequently commanded by 
foreign captains. 

Francis thanked the admiral heartily for his offer, but 
said that his father’s wishes and his own led him to adopt 
the life of a merchant, and that, under the patronage of 
Messer Polani, his prospects were so good that he would 
not exchange them even for a command under the state of 
Venice. 

You are quite right, lad,” the admiral said. All 
governments are ungrateful, and republics most of all. 
Where all are supposed to be equal, there is ever envy and 
jealousy against one who rises above the rest. The multi- 
tude is fickle and easily led ; and the first change of fort- 
une, however slight, is seized upon by enemies as a cause 
of complaint, and the popular hero of to-day may be an 
exile to-morrow. Like enough I shall see the inside of a 
Venetian prison some day.” 

Impossible, signor ! ” Francis exclaimed ; the people 
would tear to pieces any one who ventured to malign you.” 

Just at present, my lad ; just at present. But I know 
my countrymen. They are not as light-hearted and fickle 
as those of Genoa ; but they are easily led, and will shout 
* A basso ! ’ as easily as ^ Viva ! ’ Time will show. I was 
within an ace of being defeated to-day ; and you may not 
be close at hand to come to my rescue next time. And 
now to business. 

To-morrow morning I will set the crews to get out 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


199 


your stores, and distribute them as required, and will place 
four hundred prisoners in your hold, and you shall carry 
them to Venice with my dispatches announcing the vic- 
tory. The other four hundred Genoese I shall send in the 
galley that was dismasted yesterday to Candia, to be im- 
prisoned there. I shall send prize crews home in the gal- 
leys we have captured ; and as soon as they are refitted and 
manned, and rejoin me, I shall sail in search of Doria and 
his fieet. I shall first cruise up the Adriatic in case he 
may have gone that way to threaten Venice, and I can the 
more easily receive such reinforcements as may have been 
prepared for me.^' 

The following day was spent in unloading the vessel. 
This was accomplished by nightfall. The prisoners were 
then put on board. Francis at once ordered sail to be set, 
and the Bonito was started on her homeward voyage. 

As soon as the Bonito was signaled in sight Signor 
Polani went down to the port to meet her, to ascertain 
where she had fallen in with the fleet, for there was great 
anxiety in Venice, as no news had been received from 
Pisani for more than ten days. The vessel had just passed 
through the entrance between the islands when the gon- 
dola, with her owner, was seen approaching. Francis 
went to the gangway to receive him. 

Why, what has happened, Francisco ? ” Polani asked, 
as the boat neared the side of the ship. Half your bul- 
wark is carried away, and the whole side of the ship is 
scraped and scored. She looks as if she had been rubbing 
against a rock.^^ 

Not quite so bad as that, Messer Polani. She has been 
grinding against a Genoese galley. 

Against a Genoese galley ! ” the merchant repeated in 
surprise, stopping in his passage up the rope-ladder, which 
had been lowered for him. Why, how is that ? But 
never mind that now ; first tell me what is the news from 
the fleet ? 


200 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


** There is great news/^ Francis replied. The admiral 
fell in with Fieschi off Antium. There were nine ships on 
each side, and the battle took place in a storm. We were 
victorious, and captured four of the Genoese galleys, with 
Fieschi himself and eight hundred prisoners ; the rest fled. 
Fieschi is now in my cabin and four hundred prisoners in 
the hold.^^ 

This is indeed great news, the merchant said ^^and 
will be an immense relief to Venice. We were getting 
very anxious, for had Pisani been defeated there was 
nothing to prevent the Genoese ravaging our coasts, and 
even assailing Venice itself. But where is the captain 
I regret to say, sir, that he has been killed, as well as 
twenty-seven of the sailors, and many of the others are 
more or less severely wounded. I am the bearer of dis- 
patches from the admiral to the council. 

Then get into my gondola and come along at once,^^ 
Polani said. I deeply regret the death of the captain 
and sailors; you shall tell me all about it as we come 
along ; we must not delay a moment in carrying this great 
news ashore. Have you got the dispatches ? ” 

Yes, signor. I put them into my doublet when I saw 
you approaching, thinking that you would probably wish 
me to take them on shore at once." 

And now tell me all about the battle," the merchant 
said as soon as they had taken their seats in the gondola. 

You say there were nine ships on either side. Pisani 
sailed away with fourteen ; has he lost the remainder ? " 
They came up next day," Francis replied. ** The 
fleet was in a port north of Antium when the news came 
that Fieschi^s fleet was there. Five of the galleys had 
been dismantled and were under repair, and Pisani would 
not wait for them to be got into flghting order, as he was 
afraid lest Fieschi might weigh anchor and escape if 
he delayed an hour. He learned that the Genoese had 
nine ships with him, and as he had himself this number 


THE LION OF ST. MABK. 


201 


ready for sea he sailed at once. The weather was stormy 
and the sea very high when he appeared within sight of 
Antium. Fieschi sailed boldly out to meet him. The 
battle lasted all day, for it was next to impossible to board ; 
but in the end, as I say, four Genoese galleys surrendered 
and the rest fled. It was a terrible sight ; for it seemed 
at every moment as if the waves would hurl the vessels 
against each other, and so break them into fragments ; but 
in no case did such an accident happen. 

^^Why, you speak as if you saw it, Francisco ! Had 
you joined the admiral before the battle took place ? ” 

^'No, signor ; we arrived near Antium on the evening 
before the fight and heard of Fieschi^s presence there, 
therefore, we anchored south of the promontory. In the 
mc^rning we put out, intending to sail well out to sea and 
so pass the Genoese, who were not likely in such weather 
to put out to question a sail passing in the distance ; but 
as we made ofi from land we saw Pisani^s fleet approaching. 
Then as Fieschi put to sea and we saw that the battle was 
imminent, there was nothing for us to do but to lie to and 
wait for the battle to be over before we delivered our stores, 
having little doubt that Pisani would be victorious." 

Then had the battle gone the other way," the mer- 
chant said, ‘^the Bonito at the present moment would 
probably be lying a prize in the harbor of Genoa ! " 

We did not lose sight of the probability of that, signor, 
but thought that, if the Genoese should gain a victory, 
they would be too busy with their prizes and prisoners, if 
not too crippled, to pursue us, and we reckoned that in 
such weather the Bonito would be able to sail quite as fast 
as any of the Genoese." 

And now tell me about your affairs, Francisco. Where 
was it you fell in with the Genoese galley, and by what 
miracle did you get off ? " 

^^It was in the battle, sir. One of the Venetian galleys 
had dropped out of the fight disabled, and its opponent 


202 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


went to the assistance of their admirals ship, which was 
engaged with Pisani. They attempted to board him on 
both sides, and, seeing that he w^as in great peril, and that 
if his ship was taken the battle would be as bad as lost, we 
thought that you yourself would approve of our going to 
his assistance. This we did, and engaged one of their gal- 
leys ; and, as her crew were occupied with the admiral, we 
took them by surprise, and created such a diversion that 
he succeeded, with what assistance we could give him, in 
capturing both his opponents.” 

That was well done indeed,” Polani said warmly. It 
was a risky matter indeed for you, with sailors unprotected 
by armor, to enter into a combat with the iron-clad soldiers 
of Genoa. And so the captain and twenty-seven of the 
men were killed ! You must have had some brisk fight- 
ing.” 

The captain and many of the men were shot by the 
Genoese archers as we ranged up alongside their vessel ; the 
others were killed in hand-to-hand fighting ! ” 

And my cousin Matteo, what has become of him ? ” 
Polani asked suddenly. ^*1 trust he is not among the 
killed !” 

He is unharmed,” Francis replied. He fought gal- 
lantly, and the admiral the next day offered to take him 
on board his own ship, many of the volunteers serving on 
board having been killed. Matteo of course accepted the 
offer.” 

He would have done better to have stayed on board 
my ship for another two years,” Polani said, and learned 
his business. He would have made a far better sailor 
than he can ever become on board a state galley ; but I 
never expected him to stick to it. He has no earnestness 
of purpose, and is too particular about his dress to care 
about the rough life of a real seaman.^' 

He has plenty of courage, sir, and I have always found 
him a stanch friend.” 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


203 


doubt he has courage/’ the merchant said. '"He 
comes of good blood and could hardly be a coward. I 
think he is a good-hearted lad, too, and will, I have no 
doubt, make a brave commander of a galley ; but more 
than that Matteo is never likely to become.” 

" Your daughters are well, I hope ?” Francis asked. 

" Quite well ; but you will not find them at home — they 
sailed three days ago in the Lido for Corfu. They are 
going to stay for a time at my villa there. That affair of 
last year shook them both, and I thought it better that 
they should go away for a change — the hot months here 
are trying, and often unhealthy. I will go over myself 
next week to be with them.” 

They were now approaching the Piazzetta, and Polani 
shouted out to various acquaintances he met in passing 
gondolas the news that Pisani had gained a great victory, 
and had captured the Genoese admiral with four of his gal- 
leys. The gondolas at once changed their course, and 
accompanied them to gather further details of the fight. 
The news was shouted to other passing boats, and by the 
time they reached the steps of the Piazzetta a throng was 
round them. Those on shore shouted out the news, and 
it spread rapidly from mouth to mouth ; the shopkeepers 
left their stores and the loungers on the Piazzetta ran up, 
and it was with difficulty that Polani and Francis could 
make their way through the shouting and excited crowd 
to the entrance of the ducal palace. 

Polani at once led Francis to the doge, to whom he gave 
an account of the action. Messengers were immediately 
dispatched to some of the members of the council, for it 
was to them that the dispatches had to be delivered. As 
soon as a sufficient number to transact the business had 
arrived at the palace the doge himself led Francis to the 
council chamber. 

" Is the news that we heard shouted in the streets as we 
came thither true, your highness ? ” ope of the councilors 


204 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


asked as they entered, that our fleet has gained a victory 
over the Genoese ? 

I am happy to say that it is quite true ; but this young 
gentleman is the bearer of dispatches from the admiral, 
and these will doubtless give us all particulars/^ 

Admiral Pisani has chosen a strange messenger for so 
important a dispatch,”- one of the party hostile to the 
admiral said. It is usual to s.end dispatches of this kind 
by a trusted officer, and I do not think it respectful either 
to the council or to the republic to send home the news of 
a victory by a lad like this.” 

^ ^ The admiral apparently chose this young gentleman 
because, owing to the death of his captain, he was in com- 
mand of the ship which Messer Polani placed at the service 
of the republic, and which was present at the fight. The 
admiral intended, as I hear, to set out at once in search 
of the fleet of Doria, and doubtless did not wish to weaken 
himself by dispatching a state galley with the news ; but 
perhaps he may explain the matter in his dispatches,” 

Several other councilors had by this time arrived, and the 
dispatches were opened. The admiraPs account of the en- 
gagement was brief, for he was fonder of the sword than the 
pen. He stated that having obtained news that FieschPs 
fleet was at anchor under the promontory of Antium he 
sailed thither with nine ships, these being all that were 
at the moment fit to take to sea ; that Fieschi had sailed 
out to meet him, and that an engagement had taken place 
in the storm, which prevented the ships from pursuing 
their usual tactics and compelled them to figlit with mis- 
siles at a distance. The dispatch then went on : 

We fought all day, and the upshot of it was we cap- 
tured four of their galleys, the admiral himself and eight 
hundred prisoners. Fortunately it is unnecessary for me 
to give your seignory the details of the fighting, as these 
can be furnished you by Messer Francisco Hammond, who 
will hand you these dispatches. He was a witness of the 


THS LION OF ST. MARK. 


205 


action on the Bonito, which had that morning arrived at 
Antium with some of the stores you dispatched me. 1 
have selected this young gentleman as the bearer of these 
dispatches because it is to him I entirely owe it that I am 
not at the present moment a prisoner in Genoa, and to him 
the republic owes that we yesterday won a victory. 

I was attacked by Bieschi and by another galley, and 
in spite of the weather they cast grapnels on to my ship 
and boarded me. I had already lost half of my crew 
by their missiles, and things were going very badly with 
us, when the Bonito came up to our assistance and grap- 
pled with one of the galleys. Her captain was killed, 
- but Messer Hammond — of whom Polani has so high an 
opinion that he had appointed him second in command — 
led his men to my rescue. They boarded the galley and 
slew those who remained on board, and then, crossing on 
to my ship, fell upon the rear of the Genoese who were 
pressing us backward. His sailors, undefended as they 
were by armor, fought like demons with their axes, and, 
led by Messer Hammond, cut their way through the enemy 
and joined me. 

This reinforcement gave fresh strength and spirit to 
my men, who had a minute before thought that all was 
lost. Together we fell upon the Genoese before they 
could recover from their surprise, beat them back into 
their admiral’s ship, and following them there forced them 
to surrender. Messer Hammond fought by my side, and 
although but a lad in years he showed himself a sturdy 
man-at-arms, and behaved with a coolness and bravery be- 
yond praise. I hereby recommend him to your gracious 
consideration, for assuredly to him it is due that it is I, and 
not Fieschi, who is writing to announce a victory.” 

A murmur of surprise from the councilors greeted the 
reading of this portion of the letter. When it was con- 
cluded the doge was the first to speak. 

You have indeed deserved well of the republic, Messer 


206 


THE LION OF ST, MARK. 


Hammond, for we know that Admiral Pisani is not one ta 
give undue praise or to exaggerate in aught. This is news 
to me, signors, as well as to you, for in his narrative to 
me of the events of the fight he passed over his own share 
in it, though Messer Polani, who accompanied him, did 
say that his ship had taken some part in the fight, and 
that the captain and twenty-seven men had been killed. 
Now, young sir, as the admiral has referred us to you for 
a detailed narrative of the battle, we will thank you to 
tell us all you witnessed, omitting no detail of the occur- 
rences.” 

Francis accordingly gave a full account of the action, 
and gave great praise to his crew for the valor with which 
they had fought against the heavy-armed Genoese. When 
he had concluded the doge said : 

We thank you for your narrative, Messer Hammond, 
as well as for the great service you have rendered the state. 
Will you now leave us, as we have much to debate on 
regarding this and other matters, and to arrange for the 
reinforcements for which I see by his letter the admiral 
asks. Will you ask Messer Polani to remain in attendance 
for awhile, as we wish to consult with him as to ships and 
other matters ? As to yourself, we shall ask you to come 
before us again shortly.” 

After Francis had left, the council first voted that five 
ducats should be given to every man of the crew of the 
Bonito, and that the widows of those who had been slain 
should be provided for at the expense of the state. They 
deferred the question as to the honors which should be 
conferred upon Francis until they had consulted Polani. 
State barges were at once sent off to bring in the prisoners 
from the ship, and preparations made for their accom- 
modation, for Venice always treated prisoners taken in 
war with the greatest kindness, an example which Genoa 
was very far from following. Then Polani was sent for, 
and the question of stores and ships gone into. Orders 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


207 


M ere issued for redoubled activity in the arsenal, and it 
v as arranged that several ships belonging to Polani and 
others should be at once purchased for the service of the 
slate. Then they asked him for his opinion as to the 
reward which should be given to Francis. Upon the 
merchant expressing his ignorance of any special service 
his young friend had rendered, the passage from Pisani's 
letter relating to him was read out. 

The lad is as modest as he is brave,” the merchant 
said, for although of course he told me that the ship had 
taken some part in the fight, and had done what it could 
to assist the admiral, in which service the captain and 
twenty-seven men had lost their lives, I had no idea of the 
real nature of the encounter. I feel very proud of the 
service he has rendered the state, for he has rendered me 
as a private individual no less important service, and I 
regard him as my adopted son and my future partner in 
iny business. Such being the case, signors, he needs no 
gift of money from the state.” 

^^He has not, of course, being still a minor, taken up 
ll is papers of naturalization as a citizen ? ” the doge said. 

No, your highness, nor is it his intention to do so. 
I spoke to him on the subject once, and he said that 
although he regarded Venice with affection, and would at 
all times do everything in his power for the state, he could 
not renounce his birthplace, as an Englishman, by taking 
an oath of allegiance to another state, and that probably 
he should after a time return to his native country. I 
pointed out to him that although foreigners were given 
every facility for trade in Venice it would be a grievous 
disadvantage to him in the islands, and especially with 
countries such as Egypt, the Turks, and the Eastern 
empire, with whom we had treaties, as, unless he were a 
Venetian, he would be unable to trade with them. 

He fully saw the force of my argument, but persisted 
in his determination. If you ask my opinion, therefore. 


208 


THE LION OF ST, MARK. 


signors, and you do not think the honor too great, I would 
suggest that the highest and most acceptable honor that 
could be bestowed upon him would be that which you 
have at various times conferred upon foreign personagess 
of distinction, namely, to grant him the freedom of Venice, 
and inscribe his name upon the list of her citizens, without 
requiring of him the renunciation of his own country or 
the taking the oath of allegiance." 

The honor is assuredly a great and exceptional one," 
the doge said, but so is the service that he has rendered. 
He has converted what would have been a defeat into a 
victory, and has saved Venice from a grave peril. Will 
you retire for a few minutes, signor, and we will then 
announce to you the result of our deliberation on the 
matter." 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


209 


CHAPTER XIL 

IN’ MOCENIGO^S POWER. 

It was fully an hour before Polani was recalled to the 
council chamber. He saw at once by the flushed and 
angry faces of some of the council that the debate had 
been a hot one. At this he was not surprised, for he knew 
that the friends and connections of Ruggiero Mocenigo 
would vehemently oppose the suggestion he had made. 
The doge announced the decision. 

'^The council thank you for your suggestion, Signor 
Polani, and have resolved by a majority to confer upon 
Messer Francisco Hammond the high honor of placing his 
name upon the list of the citizens of Venice without re- 
quiring from him the oaths of allegiance to the state. As 
such an honor has never before been conferred, save upon 
personages of the highest rank, it will be a proof of the 
gratitude which Venice feels toward one who has done her 
such distinguished service. The decree to that effect will 
be published to-morrow. 

The merchant retired highly gratifled. The honor was • 
a great and signal one, and the material advantages con- 
siderable. The fact that Francis was a foreigner had been 
the sole obstacle which had presented itself to him in 
associating him with his business, for it would prevent 
Francis from trading personally with any of the countries 
in which Venetian citizens enjoyed special advantages. 
Francis was immensely gratified when he heard from the 
merchant of the honor to be conferred upon him ; it was 
14 


210 


THE LION OF ST. MARE. 


of all others the reward he would have selected had a 
free choice been given him, but it was so great and un- 
usual an honor that he could indeed scarcely credit it when 
the merchant told him the result of his interviews with 
the council. 

The difficulty which his being a foreigner would throw 
in the way of his career as a merchant in Eastern waters 
had been frequently in his mind, and would, he foresaw, 
greatly lessen his usefulness, but that he should be able 
to obtain naturalization without renouncing his allegiance 
to England he had never even hoped. 

It is a very high honor, doubtless,^’ Polani said, but 
no whit higher than you deserve ; besides, after all it 
costs Venice nothing, and money is scarce at present. At 
any rate I can congratulate myself as well as you, for I fore- 
saw many difficulties in our way. Although the ships 
carrying the Venetian flag could enter the ports of all 
countries trading with us, you would personally be liable 
to arrest at any time on being denounced as not being a 
native of Venice, which you assuredly would be by my 
rivals in trade.” 

The next day a bulletin was published, giving the sub- 
stance of Pisani^s dispatch, and announcing that in token 
of the gratitude of the republic for the great service he 
had rendered, Messer Hammond would be at once granted 
the freedom of Venice, and his name inserted on the list 
of her citizens. 

. During these two days the delight of Venice at the news 
of the victory had been extreme. The houses had been 
decorated with flags, and the bells of all the churches had 
pealed out joyously. Crowds assembled round the Polani 
Palace, and insisted upon Francis making his appearance, 
when they greeted him with tremendous shouts of ap- 
plause. Upon the evening of the second day he said to 
Polani : 

Have you any ship flt for sea, signor, because if so I 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


211 


pray you to send me away, no matter where. I cannot 
stand this. Since the decree was published this morning 
I have not had a moment's peace, and it is too absurd 
when I did no more than any sailor on board the ship. If 
it went on I should very soon be heartily sorry I ever in- 
terfered on behalf of the admiral." 

The merchant smiled. 

I have half-promised to take you with me to the recep- 
tion at the Persanis' this evening, and have had a dozen 
requests of a similar nature for every night this week and 
next." 

Then if you have no ship ready, signor, I will charter 
a fishing-boat, engage a couple of men, and go off for a 
fortnight ; by the end of that time something fresh will 
have happened." 

I can send you off if you really wish it, Francisco, the 
first thing to-morrow morning. I am dispatching a small 
craft with a message to my agent in Corfu, and with letters 
for my daughters ; they will be delighted to see you, and 
indeed I shall be glad to know that you are with them, 
until I can wind up several affairs which I have in hand, 
and join them myself. She is fast, and you should be at 
Corfu in forty-eight hours after sailing." 

Francis gladly embraced the offer, and started the next 
morning. The vessel was a small one, designed either to 
sail or row. Her crew consisted of twenty men, who 
rowed sixteen sweeps when the wind was light or unfavor- 
able. She was an open boat, except that she was decked 
at each end, a small cabin being formed aft for the cap- 
tain and any passengers there might be on board, while 
the crew stowed themselves in the little forecastle. 

When the boat was halfway across a sail was seen ap- 
proaching, and the captain recognized her as one of Po- 
lani's vessels." 

In that case," Francis said, ^^we may as well direct 
our course so as to pass them within hailing distance. 


212 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


When yon approach them hoist the Polani flag, and sig- 
nal to them to lay to." 

This was done, and the two craft brought up within 
thirty yards of each other. The captain appeared at the 
side of the vessel, and doffed his cap when he recognized 
Francis. 

Have you any news from the East ? " the latter asked. 

But little, signor. A few Genoese pirates are among 
the islands, and are reported to have made some captures, 
but I have seen none. There is nothing new from Con- 
stantinople ; no fresh attempt has been made by the em- 
peror to recapture Tenedos." 

Did you touch at Corfu on your way back ? " 
left there yesterday, signor. A strange craft has 
been reported as having been seen on the coast. She car- 
ries no flag, but from her appearance she is judged to be a 
Moor." 

But we are at peace with the Moprs," Francis said, 

and it is years since they ventured on any depredations 
excepting on their own waters." 

That is so, signor, and I only tell you what was the 
report at Corfu. She appeared to be a swift craft, rowing 
a great many oars. Her movements certainly seem mys- 
terious, as she has several times appeared off the coast. 
Two vessels which sailed from Cyprus, and were to have 
touched at Corfu, had not arrived there when I left, and they 
say that several others are overdue. I do not say that has 
anything to do with the strange galley, but it is the general 
opinion in Corfu that it has something to do with it, and 
I am the bearer of letters from the governor to the seignory, 
praying that two or three war ships may at once be sent 
down to the island." 

""It looks strange, certainly," Francis said; ""but I 
cannot belie ve that any Moorish pirates would be so daring 
as to come up into Venetian waters." 

"" I should not have thought so either, signor ; but it 


THE LION OF ST. MABE. 


213 


may be that, knowing there is war between Venice and 
Genoa, and that the state galleys of the republics, instead 
of being scattered over the seas, are now collected in fleets 
and thinking only of fighting each other, they might con- 
sider it a good opportunity for picking prizes/^ 

^^It is a good opportunity certainly, Francis said; 
^^but they would know that Venice would sooner or later 
reckon with them and would demand a fourfold indemnity 
for any losses her merchants may have suffered. How- 
ever, I will not detain you longer. Will you tell Signor 
Polani that you met us, and that we were making good 
progress and hoped to reach Corfu some time to-mor- 
row ? 

This is a curious thing about this galley,^^ the cap- 
tain of the boat said to Francis as the men again dipped 
their oars into the water and the boat once more proceeded 
on the way. 

It is much more likely to be a Genoese pirate than a 
Moor," Francis said. They may have purposely altered 
their rig a little in order to deceive vessels who may sight 
them. It is very many years since any Moorish craft have 
been bold enough to commit acts of piracy on this side of 
Sicily. However, we must hope that we shall not fall in with 
her, and if we see anything answering to her description we 
will give it a wide berth. Besides, it is hardly likely they 
would interfere with so small a craft as ours, for they 
would be sure we should be carrying no cargo of any great 
value." 

Twenty Christian slaves would fetch money among 
the Moors," the captain said. Let us hope we shall see 
nothing of them ; for we should have no chance of resist- 
ance against such a craft, and she would go two feet to our 
one." 

The next morning Francis was aroused by a hurried 
summons from the captain. Half-awake, and wondering 
what could be the cause of the call, for the boat lay mo- 


214 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


tionless on the water, he harried out from the little cabin. 
Day had just broken, the sky was aglow with ruddy light 
in the east. 

Look there, signor ! the captain said, pointing to the 
south. The watch made them out a quarter of an hour 
since, but, thinking nothing of it, they did not call me. 
What do you think of that ? ” 

Two vessels were lying in close proximity to each other 
at a distance of about two miles from the boat. One of 
them was a large trader, the other was a long galley 
rigged quite differently to those of either Venice c»r 
Genoa. 

That is the craft they were speaking of,” the captain 
said. There is no mistaking her. She may be an Egyjf- 
tian or a Moor, but certainly she comes from the African 
coast.” 

Or is got up in African fashion,” Francis said. ^^She 
may be, as we agreed yesterday, a Genoese, masquerading 
in that fashion in order to be able to approach our tradei's 
without their suspicions being aroused. She looks as if 
she has made a captive of that vessel. I imagine she must 
have come up to her late yesterday evening, and has been 
at work all night stripping her. I hope she is too busy to 
attend to us.” 

The sail had been lowered the instant the capitain 
caught sight of the vessels, for there was scarcely eno'Ugh 
wind to fill it, and the men were now rowing steadily. 

I do not think she could have taken much of her C}f<rg;o 
out ; she is very deep in the water.” 

Very deep,” Francis agreed. She seems to me to be 
deeper than she did three minutes ago.” 

She is a great deal deeper than when we first caught 
sight of her,” one of the sailors said. ^"She stood much 
higher in the water than the galley did, and now, if amf- 
thing, the galley stands highest.” 

See ! ” the captain exclaimed suddenly, the galley is 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


215 


rowing her oars on the port bow and bringing her head 
round. She has noticed us and is going to chase us ! We 
have seen too much. Row, men — it is for life ! If they 
overtake us it is a question between death and slavery 
among the Moors. 

A sudden exclamation from one of the men caused the 
captain to glance round again at the galley. She was alone 
now on the water — the trader had sunk ! 

Do you take the helm, signor,” the captain said, al] 
hands will help at the oars.” 

Some of the oars were double banked, and beneath th< 
strength of the twenty men the boat moved fast througl 
the water. The galley was now rowing all her oars and ii 
full pursuit. For a quarter of an hour not a word wa/ 
spoken, every man on board was doing his utmost. 
Francis had glanced backward several times, and at th^ 
end of a quarter of an hour he could see that the distance 
between the boat and her pursuer had distinctly lessened. 

Is she gaining on us ? ” the captain asked, for the 
cabin in the stern hid the galley from the sight of the 
oarsmen. 

She is gaining,” Francis said quietly, but not rapidly. 
Row steadily, my lads, and do not despair. When they 
find how slowly they gain they may give up the chase and 
think us not worth the trouble. 

Jacopo,” he said to an old sailor who was rowing in 
the bow, and who already was getting exhausted from the 
exertion, do you lay in your oar and come aft. I will 
take your place.” 

At the end of an hour the galley was little more than 
a quarter of a mile away. 

We had better stop,” the captain said. We have no 
chance of getting away, and the longer the chase the more 
furious they will be. What do you think, signor ?” 

^^I agree with you,” Francis replied. We have done all 
that we could. There is no use in rowing longer.” 


216 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


The oars fell motionless in the water, and a few minutes 
later the long galley came rushing up by their side. 

A fine row you have given us, you dogs ! ” a man 
shouted angrily as she came alongside. If you haven^t 
something on hoard that will pay us for the chase we have 
had it will he the worse for you. What boat is that ? 

It is the Naxos, and belongs to Messer Polani of Venice. 
We are bound to Corfu, and bear letters from the padrone 
to his agent there. We have no cargo on board. 

The letters perhaps may be worth more than any car- 
go such a boat would carry. So come on board and let us 
see what the excellent Polani says to his agent. Now 
make haste all of you, or it will be the worse for you." 

It was useless hesitating. The captain, Francis and the 
crew stepped on board the galley. 

Just look round her," the captain said to one of his 
sailors. If there is anything worth taking take it, and 
then knock a hole in her bottom with your ax." 

Francis, as he stepped on board the galley, looked round 
at the crew. They were not Genoese, as he had expected^ 
but a mixture of ruffians from all the ports in the Mediter- 
ranean, as he saw at once by their costumes. Some were 
Greeks from the islands, some Smyrniots, Moors, and 
Spaniards ; but the Moors predominated, nearly half the 
crew belonging to that race. Then he looked at the cap- 
tain, who was eagerly perusing the documents the captain 
had handed him. As his eye fell upon him Francis 
started, for he recognized at once the man whose designs 
he twice thwarted, Ruggiero Mocenigo, and felt that he 
was in deadly peril. 

After reading the merchant’s communication to his 
agent, Ruggiero opened the letter addressed to Maria. He 
had read but a few lines when he suddenly looked up, and 
then, with an expression of savage pleasure in his face, 
stepped up to Francis. 

So, Messer Hammond, the good Polani sends you to 













\ 


THE LION OF ST, MAEK, 


217 


stay for awhile with his daughters ! Truly, when I set out 
in chase this morning of that wretched row-boat, I little 
deemed that she carried a prize that I valued more than 
a loaded caravel ! It is to you I owe it that I am an exile 
instead of being the honored son-in-law of the wealthy 
Polani ; it was your accursed interference that brought all 
my misfortunes upon me ; but, thank heaven, my venge- 
ance has come at last ! Take them all below,” he said, 
turning to his men. Put the heaviest irons you have 
got on this fellow, and fasten them with staples into the 
deck. You thought I was going to hang you or throw 
you overboard,” he went on, turning to Francis. Do not 
flatter yourself that your death will be so easy a one — you 
shall suffer a thousand torments before you die ! ” 

Francis had not spoken a word since Euggiero flrst 
turned to him, but had stood with a tranquil and almost 
contemptuous expression upon his face ; but every nerve 
and muscle of his body were strained and in readiness to 
spring into action. He had expected that Euggiero would 
at once attack him, and was determined to leap upon him. 
and to sell his life as dearly as possible. 

The sailors seized Francis and his companions and thrust 
them down into the hold, which was already crowded with 
upward of a hundred captives. He was chained with heavy 
manacles. In obedience to Euggiero^’s orders staples were 
driven through the links of his chain deep into the deck, 
so that he was forced to remain in a sitting or lying pos- 
ture. The captain of the Naxos came and sat beside 
him. 

Who is this pirate captain, Messer Francisco, who thus 
knows and has an enmity against you ? By his speech he 
is surely a Venetian. And yet, how comes a Venetian in 
command of a pirate ?” 

That man is Euggiero Mocenigo — the same who twice 
attempted to carry off Messer Polani^’s daughters. The 
second time he succeeded, and would have been tried for 


218 


THE HON OF ST. MARK. 


the offense by the state had he not, aided by a band of 
Paduans, escaped from the keeping of his guard/' 

Of course I heard of it, signor. I was away at sea at 
the time, but I heard how you came up at the moment 
when the padrone's gondoliers had been overcome, and res- 
cued his daughters. And this is that villain Mocenigo, a 
disgrace to his name and family ! " 

Eemember the name, captain, and tell it to each of 
your men, so that if they ever escape from this slavery 
into which, no doubt, he intends to sell you, they may tell 
it in Venice that Kuggiero Mocenigo is a pirate and an ally 
of the Moors. As for me, there is, I think, but small 
chance of escape ; but at any rate, if you ever reach 
Venice you will be able to tell the padrone how it was that 
we never arrived at Corfu, and how I fell into the hands 
of his old enemy. Still, I do not despair that I may carry 
the message myself ; there is many a slip between the cup 
and the lip, and Mocenigo may have cause yet to regret 
that he did not make an end of me as soon as he got me 
into his hands." 

It may be so," the captain said, and indeed I can- 
not think that so brave a young gentleman is destined to 
die miserably at the hands of such a scoundrel as this man 
has shown himself to be. As for death, did it come but 
speedily and sharply, I would far sooner die than live a 
Moorish slave. Santa Maria, how they will wonder at 
home when the days go on and the Naxos does not return, 
and how at last they will give up all hope, thinking that 
she has gone down in a sudden squall, and never dream- 
ing that we are sold as slaves to the Moors by a country- 
man." 

Keep up your heart, captain ; be sure that when the 
war with Genoa is over Venice will take the matter in 
hand. As you know, a vessel has already carried tidings 
thither of the depredation of a Moorish cruiser, and she 
will take vengeance on the Moors, and may even force them 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


219 


to liberate the captives they have taken ; and besides, you 
may be sure that the padrone, when he hears of the Moor- 
ish galley, and finds vre never reached Corfu although the 
weather continued fine, will guess that we have fallen into 
her hands, and will never rest till he finds where we have 
been taken, and will ransom those who survive at whatever 
price they may put upon them/^ 

He will do his best, I know, he is a good master to 
serve ; but once a prisoner among the Moors, the hope of 
one^s ever being heard of again is slight. Sometimes, of 
course, men have been ransomed ; but most, as I have 
heard, can never be found by their friends, however ready 
they may be to pay any ransom that might be asked. It 
just depends whether they are sold to a Moor living in a 
seaport or not ; if they are, there would be no great 
difficulty in hearing of them, but if they are sold into 
the interior, no inquiries are ever likely to discover 
them/^ 

You must hope for the best,” Francis said. Chances 
of escape may occur, and I have heard that Christian cap- 
tives who have been released say that the Moors are for the 
most part kind masters.” 

I have heard so, too,” the captain said ; and any- 
how, I would rather be a Moorish slave than lie in a Geno- 
ese dungeon. The Genoese are not like us. When we 
take prisoners we treat them fairly and honorably, while 
they treat their prisoners worse than dogs. I wish I could 
do something for you, Messer Francisco ; your case is a 
deal worse than ours. Listen, they are quarreling up on 
deck ! ” 

There was indeed a sound of men in hot dispute, a 
trampling of feet, a clash of steel, and the sound of bodies 
falling. 

It is not possible that one of our cruisers can have 
come up and is boarding the pirate,” the captain said, 
for no sail was in sight when we were brought here ; I 


220 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


looked round the last thing before I left the deck. What 
can they he fighting about ? 

Likely enough as to their course, They have profit 
ably, from what we heard, taken and sunk several ships, 
and some may he in favor of returning to dispose of their 
booty, while others may be for cruising longer. I only 
hope that scoundrel Ruggiero is among those we heard 
fall. They are quiet now, and one party or the other has 
evidently got the best of it. There, they are taking to the 
oars again.” 

Several days passed ; sometimes the oars were heard 
going, but generally the galley was under sail. The sail- 
ors brought down food and water morning and evening, 
but paid no other attention to the captives. Francis dis- 
cussed with some of the other prisoners the chances of 
making a sudden rush on to the deck and overpowering 
the crew ; but all their arms had been taken from them, 
and the galley, they calculated, contained fully a hundred 
and fifty men ; they noticed, too, when the sailors brought 
down the food, a party armed and in readiness were as- 
sembled round the hatchway. 

At all other times the hatchway was nearly closed, being 
only left sufficiently open to allow a certain amount of air 
to pass down into the hold, and by the steady tramp of 
steps up and down they knew that two sentries were also 
on guard above. Most of the prisoners were so overcome 
with the misfortune which had befallen them, and the 
prospect of a life in hopeless slavery, that they had no 
spirit to attempt any enterprise whatever, and there 
was nothing to do but to wait the termination of the 
voyage. 

At the end of six days there was a bustle on deck, and 
the chain of the anchor was heard to run out. Two or 
three hours afterward the hatchway was taken off. When 
the rest had ascended, two men came below with hammers, 
and drew the staples which fastened Francis to the deck. 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


221 


On going up he was at first so blinded with the glare of 
the sunshine — after six days in almost total darkness — that 
he could scarce see where he was. 

The ship was lying at anchor in a bay ; the shores were 
low, and a group of houses stood abreast of where the ship 
was anchored. By their appearance Francis saw at once 
that he was on the coast of Africa, or of some island near 
it. The prisoners were ordered to descend into the boats 
which lay alongside, some sailors taking their places with 
them. Kuggiero was not at first to be seen, but just as 
Francis was preparing to take his place in the boat he 
came out from the cabin. One of his arms was in a sling 
and his head bandaged. 

Take special care of that prisoner,” he said to the 
men. Do not take off his chains, and place a sentinel 
at the door of the place of his confinement. I would 
rather lose my share of all the spoil we have taken than he 
should escape me ! ” 

The shackles had been removed from the rest of the 
captives, and on landing they were driven into some huts 
which stood a little apart from the village. 

Francis was thrust into a small chamber with five or six 
companions. The next morning the other prisoners were 
called out, and Francis was left alone by himself all day. 
On their return in the evening they told him that all the 
prisoners had been employed in assisting to get out the 
cargo with which the vessel was crammed, and in carry- 
ing it to a large storehouse in the village. 

They must have taken a rich booty indeed,” said one 
of the prisoners, who had already told Francis that he was 
the captain of the vessel they had seen founder. I could 
tell pretty well what all the bales contained by the manner of 
packing, and I should say there were the pick of the car- 
goes of a dozen ships there. All of us here belong to three 
ships, except those taken with you ; but from the talk of 
the sailors I heard that they had already sent off two 


222 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


batches of captives by another ship which was cruising in 
company of them. I also learned that the quarrel which 
took place just after you were captured arose from the fact 
that the captain wished a party to land, to carry off two 
women from somewhere in the island of Corfu ; but the 
crew insisted on first returning with the booty, urging that 
if surprised by a Venetian galley they might lose all the 
result of their toil. This was the opinion of the majority, 
although a few sided with the captain, being induced to do 
so by the fact that he offered to give up all his share of the 
booty if they would do so. 

The captain lost his temper and drew his sword, but 
he and his party were quickly overpowered. He has kept 
to his cabin ever since, suffering, they say, more from rage 
than from his wound. However, it seems that as soon as 
we and the cargo have been sold they are to start for Corfu 
to carry out the enterprise. We are on an island not very 
far from Tunis, and a fast rowing boat started early this 
morning to the merchants with whom they deal, for it 
seems that a certain amount of secrecy is observed, in order 
that if any complaints are made by Venice, the Moorish 
authorities may disclaim all knowledge of the matter.'' 

Two days later the prisoners captured were again led out, 
their guards telling them that the merchants who had been 
expected had arrived. Giuseppi, who had hitherto borne 
up bravely, was in an agony pf grief at being separated 
from Francis. He threw himself upon the ground, wept, 
tore his hair, and besought the guards to let him share his 
master's fate, whatever that might be. He declared that 
he would kill himself were they separated ; and the guards 
would have been obliged to use force had not Francis 
begged Giuseppi not to struggle against fate, but to go 
quietly, promising again and again that if he himself re- 
gained his freedom, he would not rest until Giuseppi was 
also set at liberty. At last the lad yielded, and suffered 
himself to be led away in a heart-broken state by the 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


223 


guar-Is. None of the captives returned to the hut, and 
IFrancis now turned his whole thoughts to freeing himself 
from his chains. He had already revolved in his mind 
every possible mode of escape ; he had tried the strong iron 
bars of the window, hut found that they were so rigidly 
fixed and embedded in the stonework that there was no 
hope of escape in this way ; and even could he have got 
through the window the weight of his shackles would have 
crippled him. 

He was fastened with two chains, each about two feet 
six inches long, going from the wrist of the right hand to 
the left ankle, and from the left hand to the right ankle. 
Thus he was unable to stand quite upright, and any- 
thing like rapid movement was almost impossible. The 
bottom of the window came within four feet of the 
ground, and it was only by standing on one leg and lifting 
the other as high as he could that he was able to grasp one 
of the bars to try its strength. The news he had heard 
from his fellow-prisoner almost maddened him, and he 
thought far less of his own fate than that of the girls, who 
would be living in their quiet country retreat in ignorance 
of danger, until suddenly seized by Mocenigo and his band 
of pirates. 

He had on the first day tried whether it was possible to 
draw his hand through the iron band round his wrist, but 
had concluded it could not be done, for it was riveted so 
tightly as to press upon the flesh. Therefore there was no 
hope of freeing himself in that manner. The only possible 
means then would be to cut through the rivet or chain, 
and for this a tool would be required. 

Suddenly an idea struck him. The guard who brought 
in his food was a Sicilian, and was evidently of a talkative 
disposition, for he had several times entered into conversa- 
tion with the captives. In addition to a long knife he 
carried a small stiletto in his girdle, and Francis thought 
that if he could obtain this he miglit possibly free himself. 


224 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


Accordingly at the hour when he expected his guard to 
enter Francis placed himself at his window, with his face 
against the bars. When he heard the guard come in, and, 
as usual, close the door behind him, he turned round and 
said : 

Who is that damsel there ? She is very beautiful and 
she passes here frequently. There she is, just going among 
those trees.” 

The guard moved to the window and looked out. 

Do you see her just going round that corner there ? 
Ah ! she is gone. 

The guard was pressing his face against the bars to look 
in the direction indicated, and Francis, who was already 
standing on his left leg, with the right raised so as to give 
freedom to the hand next to the man, had no difficulty in 
drawing the stiletto from its sheath and slipping it into 
his trousers. 

You were just too late,” he said, but no doubt you 
often see her.” 

“ I donT see any beautiful damsels about in this wretched 
place,” the man replied. I suppose she is the daughter 
»f the head man in the village. They say he has some 
rood-looking ones, hut he takes pretty good care that they 
ire not about when we are here. I suppose she thought 
she wouldnT be seen along that path. I will keep a good 
lookout for her in future.” 

DonT frighten her away,” Francis said, laughing ; 

she is the one pleasant thing I have in the day to look at.” 

After some more talk the man retired, and Francis ex- 
amined his prize. It was a thin blade of fine steel, and 
he at once hid it in the earth which formed the fioor of 
the hut. An hour later the guard opened the door sud- 
denly. It was now dusk, and Francis was sitting quietly 
in a corner. 

Bring a light, Thomaso,” the guard shouted to his com- 
rade outside, it is getting dark in here.” 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


225 


The other brought a torch, and they carefully examined 
the floor of the cell. 

^^What is it that you are searching for ?” Francis 
asked. 

I have dropped my dagger somewhere,” the man re- 
plied. I can’t think how it fell out.” 

When did you see it last ? ” 

Not since dinner time. I know I had it then. I 
thought possibly I might have dropped it here, and a dag- 
ger is not the sort of plaything one cares about giving to 
prisoners.” 

Chained as I am,” Francis said, a dagger would not 
be a formidable weapon in my hands.” 

No,” the man agreed. It would be useless to you 
unless you wanted to stick it into your own ribs.” 

I should have to sit down to be able to do even that.” 

That is so, lad. It is not for me to question what the 
captain says, I just do as I am told. But I own it does 
seem hard keeping a young fellow like you chained up as 
if you were a wild beast. If he had got Pisani or Zeno as 
a prisoner, and wanted to make doubly sure that they 
would not escape, it would be all well enough, but for a lad 
like you with one man always at the door and the window 
barred so that a lion couldn’t break through, I do think it 
hard to keep you chained like this ; and the worst of it is, 
we are going to have to stop here to look after you till the 
captain gets back, and that may be three weeks or a month, 
who knows ! ” 

Why don’t you keep your mouth shut, Philippo ? ” 
the other man growled. It’s always talk, talk with you. 
We are chosen because the captain can rely upon us.” 

He can rely upon any one,” Philippo retorted, who 
knows that he will get his throat cut if he fails in his 
duty.” 

Well come along,” the other said. I don’t want to 
be staying here all night. Your dagger isn’t here, that’s 

15 


226 


THE LION OF ST. MARE. 


certain, and as I am off guard at present I want to be go- 
ing/" 

As soon as he was left alone Francis unearthed the dag- 
ger, feeling sure that no fresh visit would be made him 
that evening. As he had hoped, his first attempt showed 
him that the iron of the rivet was soft, and the keen dag- 
ger at once notched off a small piece of the burred end. 
Again and again he tried, and each time a small piece of 
metal flew off. After each cut he examined the edge of 
the dagger, but it was well tempered, and seemed entirely 
unaffected. He now felt certain that with patience he 
should be able to cut off the projecting edges of the rivets 
and so be able to free his hands. 

He therefore now examined the fastenings at the ankles. 
These were more heavy, and on trying them the iron of 
the rivet appeared to be much harder than that which kept 
the manacles together. It was, however, now too dark to see 
what he was doing, and concealing the dagger again he lay 
down with a lighter heart than he had from the moment 
of his capture. Even if he found that the lower fastenings 
of the chain defied all his efforts, he could cut the rivets 
at the wrists, and so free one end of each chain ; he could 
then tie the chains round his legs, and their weight would 
not be sufficient to prevent his walking. 


THE LION OF ST. MARK, 


227 


CHAPTER XIII. 

THE PIEATES^ RAID. 

As soon as it was daylight next morning Francis was np 
and at work. His experiments of the evening before were- 
were at once confirmed. Three or four hoiirs^ work would 
enable him to free his wrists, but he could make no im- 
pression on the rivets at his ankles. After a few trials he 
gave this up as hopeless, for he was afraid if he continued 
he would blunt the edge of the dagger. 

For an hour he sat thinking, and at last an idea occurred 
to him. Iron could he ground by rubbing it upon stone, 
and if he could not cut off the burr of the rivet with the 
dagger he might perhaps be able to wear it down by rub- 
bing it with a stone. He at once turned to the walls of 
his cell. These were not built of the unbaked clay so> 
largely used for houses of the poorer class in northern 
Egypt, but had evidently bee^i constructed either as a 
prison or more probably as a strong room where some mer- 
chant kept valuable goods. 

It was therefore constructed of blocks of hard stone. It 
seemed to Francis that this was sandstone, and to test its 
quality he sat down in the corner where the guard had the 
night before placed his supply of food and water. First 
he moistened a portion of the wall, then he took up a link 
of his chain and rubbed for some time against it. At last, 
to his satisfaction, a bright patch showed that the stone- 
was capable of wearing away iron. 

But in vain did he try to twist his legs so as to rub the 
rivet against the wall, and he gave up the attempt as im- 


228 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


possible. It was clear then that he must have a bit of the 
stone to mb with. He at once began to dig with the dag- 
ger in the earth at the foot of the wall to see if he could 
find any such pieces. For a long time he came across no 
chips, even of the smallest size. As he worked he was 
most careful to stamp down the earth which he had moved, 
scattering over it the sand, of which there was an abun- 
d.ance in the corners of the room, to obliterate all traces of 
his work. 

When breakfast-time approached he ceased for awhile, 
but after the meal had been taken he recommenced the 
task. He met with little success till he reached the door, 
but here he was more fortunate. A short distance below 
the surface were a number of pieces of stone of various* 
sizes, which he had no doubt had been cut from the blocks 
to allow for the fixing of the lintel and doorpost. He 
chose half a dozen pieces of the handiest sizes, each hav- 
ing a flat surface. Then replacing the earth carefully, he 
took one of the pieces in his hand, and moistening it with 
water, set to work. 

He made little progress. Still the stone did wear the 
iron, and he felt sure that by perseverance he should suc- 
ceed in wearing off the burrs. All day he worked without 
intermission, holding a rag wrapped round the stone to 
deaden the sound. He worked till his fingers ached so 
that he could no longer hold it, then rested for an hour or 
two, and resumed his work. When his guard brought his 
dinner he asked him when the galley was to sail again. 

It was to have gone to-day, the man said, but the 
captain has been laid up with fever. He has a leech from 
Tunis attending him, and, weak as he is, he is so bent on 
going that he would have had himself carried on board the 
ship had not the leech said that in that case he would not 
answer for his life, as in the state his blood is in his 
wounds would assuredly mortify did he not remain per- 
fectly quiet. So he has agreed to delay for three days.^' 














THE LION OF ST. MARE. 


229 


Francis was unable to work with the stone at night, for 
in the stillness the sound might be heard ; but for some 
hours he hacked away with the dagger at the rivets on his 
manacles. The next morning he was at work as soon as 
tlie chirrup of the cicadae began, as these, he knew, would 
completely deaden any sound he might make. By night- 
time the rivet ends on the irons round his ankles were 

orn so thin that he felt sure that another hour^s work 
would bring them level with the iron, and before he went 
to sleep the rivets on the wrists were in the same condi- 
tion. 

He learned from his guard next morning that the cap- 
tain was better, that he was to be taken on board in the 
oool of the evening, and that the vessel would start as soon 
as the breeze sprang up in the morning. In the after- 
noon his two guards entered, and bade him follow them. 
He was conducted to the principal house in the village, 
and into a room where Ruggiero Mocenigo was lying on a 
couch. 

I have sent for you,^^ Ruggiero said, to tell you that 
I have not forgotten you. My vengeance has been de- 
layed from no fault of mine, but it will be all the sweeter 
when it comes. I am going to fetch Polani^s daughters. 
I have heard that since you thrust yourself between me 
and them you have been a familiar in the house, that 
l^olani treats you as a member of the family, and that you 
are in high favor with his daughters. I have kept myself 
informed of what happened in Venice, and I have noted 
each of these things down in the account of what I owe 
you. I am going to fetch Polani^s daughters here, and to 
make Maria my wife, and then I will show her how I 
treat those who cross my path. It will be a lesson to her 
as well as for you. You shall wish yourself dead a thou- 
sand times before death comes to you.^^ 

I always knew that you were a villain, Ruggiero Moc- 
enigo,’' Francis said quietly, "" although I hardly thought 


230 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


that a man who had once the honor of being a noble of 
Venice would sink to become a pirate and renegade. You 
may carry Maria Polani off, but you will never succeed 
through her in obtaining a portion of her father^s fortune, 
for I know that the first moment her hands are free she 
will stab herself to the heart, rather than remain in the 
power of such a wretch.” 

Kuggiero snatched up a dagger from a table by his couch 
as Francis was speaking, but dropped it again. 

^^Fool,” he said. ^^Aml not going to carry off Fie 
the two girls, and do you not see that it will tame Mari Fs 
spirit effectually when she knows that if she lays hands wi 
herself she will but shift the honor of being my wife frOri 
herself to her sister ? ” 

As the laugh of anticipated triumph rang in FrancisNiaife 
the latter in his fury made a spring forward to throw him- 
self upon the villain, but he had forgotten his chains, and 
fell headlong on to the floor. 

Guards,” Kuggiero shouted, ‘^take this fellow a^ ay, 
and I charge you watch over him securely, and remember 
that your lives shall answer for his escape.” 

There is no need for threats, signor,” Philippo said. 

You can rely on our vigilance, though, as far as I see, 
if he had but a child to watch him he would be safe in that 
cell of his, fretted as he is.” 

Ruggiero waved his hand impatiently, and the two men 
withdrew with their prisoner. 

If it were not that I have not touched my share of the 
booty of our last trip,” Philippo said as they left the house, 

I would not serve him another day. As it is, as soon as 
the galley returns and we get our shares of the money and 
of the sum he has promised if this expedition of his is suc- 
cessful, I will be off. I have had enough of this. It is 
bad enough to be consorting with Moors, without being 
abused and threatened as if one was a dog.” 

As soon as he was alone again Francis set to work, ani 



L. St. M 



THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


231 


by the afternoon the ends of the four rivets were worn 
down level with the iron, and it needed hut a pressure to 
make the rings spring open. Then he waited for the even- 
ing before freeing himself, as by some chance he might 
again be visited, and even if free before nightfall he could 
not leave the house. 

Philippo was later than usual in bringing him his meal, 
and Francis heard angry words passing between him and his 
comrade because he had not returned to relieve him sooner. 

^^Is everything ready for the start Francis asked the 
man as he entered. 

Yes, the crew are all on board. The boat is to be on 
shore for the captain at nine o’clock, and as there is a little 
breeze blowing I expect they will get up sail and start at 
once.” 

After a few minutes’ talk the man left, and Francis 
waited until it became almost dark ; then he inserted the 
dagger between the irons at the point of junction. At the 
first wrench they fiew apart, and his left hand was free. 
A few minutes’ more work and the chains lay on the 
ground. Taking them up he rattled them together loudly. 
In a minute he heard the guard outside move and come to 
the door, then the key was inserted in the lock and the 
door opened. 

What on earth are you doing now ? ” Philippo asked 
as he entered. 

Francis was standing close to the door, so that as his guard 
entered he had his back to him, and before the question was 
finished he sprang upon him, throwing him headlong to 
the ground with the shock, and before the astonished man 
could speak he was kneeling upon him, with the point of 
the dagger at his throat. 

If you make a sound, or utter a cry,” he exclaimed, 

I will drive this dagger into your throat.” 

Philippo could feel the point of the dagger against his 
skin, and remained perfectly quiet. 


232 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


do not want to kill you, Philippo. You have not 
been harsh to me, and I would spare your life if I could. 
Hold your hands back above your head and put your wrists 
together that I may fasten them, then I will let you get 
up.” 

Philippo held up his hands as requested, and Francis 
bound them tightly together with a strip of twisted cloth. 
He then allowed him to rise. 

Now, Philippo, I must gag you, then I will fasten your 
hands to a bar well above your head so that you can^t get 
at the rope with your teeth ; I will leave you here till your 
comrade comes in the morning.” 

I would rather that you killed me at once, signor,” 
the man said. Thomaso will be furious at your having 
made your escape, for he will certainly come in for a share 
of the fury of the captain. There are three or four of the 
crew remaining behind, and no doubt they will keep me 
locked up till the ship returns, and in that case the cap^ 
tain will be as good as his word. You had better kill me 
at once.” 

But what am I to do, Philippo ? I must insure my 
own safety. If you will suggest any way by which I can 
do that, I will.” 

“ I would swear any oath you like, signor, that I will 
not give the alarm. I will make straight across the island 
and get hold of a boat there so as to be well away before 
your escape is known in the morning.” 

Well, look here, Philippo. I believe you are sincere, 
and you shall take the oath you hold most sacred.” 

You can accompany me, signor, if you will. Keep my 
hands tied till we are on the other side of the island, and 
stab me if I give the alarm.” 

I will not do that, Philippo. I will trust you alto- 
gether ; but first take the oath you spoke of.” 

Philippo swore a terrible oath that he would abstain 
from giving the alarm, and would cross the island and 


THE LION OF ST. MABK. 233 

make straight for the mainland. Francis at once cut the 
bonds. 

“ You will lose your share of the plunder, Philippo, and 
you will have to keep out of the way to avoid the captain^s 
rage ; therefore 1 advise you, when you get to Tunis, to 
embark in the first ship that sails. If you come to Venice, 
ask for me, and I will make up to you for your loss of booty, 
and put you in the way of leading an honest life again ; 
but before going you must first change clothes with me. 
You can sell mine at Tunis for enough to buy you a dozen 
suits like yours ; but you must divide with me what money 
you now have in your possession, for I cannot start penni- 
less.'’^ 

thank you for your kindness,'’^ the man said ; ^^you 
had it in your power with a thrust of the dagger to make 
yourself safe, and you abstained ; even it were not for my 
oath, I should be a treacherous dog indeed were I to betray 
you. I do not know what your plans are, signor, but I 
pray you to follow my example and get away from this 
place before daylight. The people here will all aid in the 
search for you, and as the island is not large, you will as- 
suredly be discovered. It has for many years been a ren- 
dezvous of pirates, a place to which they bring their 
booty to sell to the traders who come over from the main- 
land.^^ 

Thank you for your advice, Philippo, and be assured 
I shall be off the island before daybreak, but I have some 
work to do first and cannot therefore accompany you.^^ 
May all the saints bless you, signor, and aid you to get 
safe away ! Assuredly if I live I will ere long present my- 
self to you at Venice— not for the money which you so 
generously promised me, but that I may with your aid earn 
an honest living among Christians.'’^ 

By this time the exchange of clothes was effected. The 
six ducats in Philippo’s purse — the result of a little private 
plundering on one of the captured vessels — divided ; and 


234 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


then they left the prison room, and Philippo locked the 
door after them. 

there any chance of Thomaso returning speedily 
Francis asked ; because if so he might notice your ab- 
sence, and so give the alarm before the ship sets sail, in 
which case we should have the whole crew on our 
tracks.” 

I do not think that he will. He will be likely to be 
drinking in the wine-shop for an hour or two before he re- 
turns. But I tell you what I will do, signor. I will 
resume my place here on guard until he has returned. He 
will relieve me at midnight, and in the darkness will not 
notice the change of clothes. There will still be plenty of 
time for me to cross the island and get out of sight in the 
boat before the alarm is given, which will not be until six 
o clock, when I ought to relieve him again. As you say, 
if the alarm were to be given before the vessel sails they 
might start at once to cut us off before we reach the main- 
land, for they would make sure that we should try to 
escape in that direction.” 

That will be the best plan, Philippo ; and now good- 
bye.” 

Francis walked down to the shore. There were no boats 
lying there of a size he could launch unaided, but presently 
he heard the sound of oars, and a small fishing-boat rowed 
by two men approached. 

Look here, lads,” he said ; I want to be put on board 
the ship. I ought to have been on board three hours ago, 
but took too much wine, and lay down for an hour or two 
and overslept myself. Do you think you can row quietly 
up alongside so that I can slip on board unnoticed ? \i 
so, I will give you a ducat for your trouble.” 

We can do that,” the fishermen said ; we have just 
come from the ship now, and have sold them our catch of to- 
day. There were half a dozen other boats lying beside her 
bargaining for their fish ; besides they are taking on board 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 235 

firewood and other stores that have been left till the last 
moment ; so jump in and we will soon get you there.” 

In a few minutes they approached the side of the ship. 

I see you have got half a dozen fish left in your boat 
now,” Francis said. 

They are of no account,” one of the men said ; ^^they 
are good enough for our eating, but not such as they buy 
on board a ship where money is plentiful. You are heartily 
welcome to them if you have a fancy for them.” 

Thank you,” Francis said ; I will take two or three 
of them if you can spare them. I want to play a trick 
with a comrade.” 

As the fishermen said, there were several boats lying 
near the vessel, and the men were leaning over the sides 
bargaining for fish. Handing the fishermen their promised 
reward, Francis sprang up the ladder to the deck. 

He was unnoticed, for other men had gone down into 
the boats for fish. Mingling with the sailors he gradually 
made his way to the hatchway leading into the hold, 
descended the ladder, and stowed himself away among a 
quantity of casks, some filled with wine and some with 
water, at the further end of the hold, and as he lay there 
devoutly thanked God that his enterprise had been so far 
successful. 

Men came down from time to time with lanterns to stow 
away the lately arrived stores, but none came near the 
place where Francis was hidden. The time seemed long 
before he heard the clank of the capstan, and knew the 
vessel was being hove up to her anchors. Then after a 
while he heard the creaking of cordage, and much tramp- 
ling of feet on the deck above, and knew that she was under 
way. Then he made himself as comfortable as he could in 
his cramped position, and went off to sleep. 

When he woke in the morning the light was streaming 
down the hatch, which was only closed in rough weather, 
as it was necessary frequently to go down into it for water 


236 


THE LION OF ST, MARK. 


and stores. Francis had brought the fish with him as a 
means of subsistence during the voyage in case he should 
be unable to obtain provisions, but for this there was no 
occasion, as there was an abundance of fruit hanging from 
the beams, while piles of bread were stowed in a partition 
at one end of the hold. During the day, however, he did 
not venture to move, and was heartily glad when it again 
became dark and he could venture to get out and stretch 
himself. He appropriated a loaf and some bunches of 
grapes, took a long drink from a pail placed under the tap 
of a water-butt, and made his way back to his corner. 
After a hearty meal he went out again for another drink, 
and then turned in to sleep. 

So passed six days. By the rush of water against the 
outside planks he could always judge whether the vessel 
was making brisk way or whether she was lying becalmed. 
Once or twice after nightfall he ventured up on deck, feel- 
ing certain that in the darkness there was no fear of his 
being detected. From conversation he overheard on the 
seventh evening he learned that Corfu had been sighted 
that day. For some hours the vesseFs sails had been 
lowered, and she had remained motionless ; but she was 
now again making for the land, and in the course of 
another two hours a landing was to be made. The boats 
had all been got in readiness, and the men were to muster 
fully armed. Although, as they understood, the carrying 
off of two girls was their special object, it was intended 
that they should gather as much plunder as could be ob- 
tained. The island was rich, for many wealthy Venetians 
had residences there. Therefore, with the exception of a 
few men left on board to take care of the galley, the whole 
were to land. 

A picked boaCs crew were to accompany the captain, 
who was now completely convalescent ; the rest were to 
divide in bands, and scatter over the country, pillaging as 
they went, and setting fire to the houses. It was con- 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


237 


sidered that such consternation would be caused that 
nothing like resistance could be offered for some time, and 
by daybreak all hands were to gather at the landing-place. 
How far this spot was from the town Francis had no means 
of learning. 

There was a store of spare arms in the hold, and Francis, 
furnishing himself with a sword and large dagger, waited 
until he heard a great movement overhead, and then went 
upon deck and joined a gang of men employed in lowering 
one of the boats. 

The boat was a large one, rowing sixteen oars and carry- 
ing some twenty men seated in the stern. Here Francis 
took his place with the others ; the boat pushed off and 
waited until four others were launched and filled, then the 
order was given, and the boats rowed in a body toward the 
shore. The men landed and formed under their respective 
officers, one man remaining in each boat to keep it afloat. 

Francis leaped ashore, and while the men were forming 
up, found no difficulty in slipping away unnoticed. As he 
did not know where the path was, and was afraid of making 
a noise, he lay down among the rocks until he heard the 
word of command to start given ; then he cautiously crept 
out, and keeping far enough in the rear to be unseen, fol- 
lowed the sound of their footsteps. By the short time 
which had elapsed between the landing and the start he 
had no doubt they were guided by some persons perfectly 
acquainted with the locality, probably by some natives of 
the island among the mixed crew. 

Francis had, during his voyage, thought over the course 
he should pursue on landing, and saw that, ignorant as he 
was of the country, his only hope was in obtaining a guide 
who would conduct him to Polani’s villa before the arrival 
of Mocenigo and his band. The fact that the crew were 
divided into five parties which were to proceed in different 
directions, and that he did not know which of them was 
commanded by the captain, added to the difficulty. Had 


238 


THE LION OF ST, MARK, 


they kept together he might, after seeing the direction in 
which they were going, make a detour and get ahead of 
them. But he might now follow a party going in an en- 
tirely wrong direction, and before he could obtain a guide 
Mocenigo^s band might have gone so far that they could 
not be overtaken before they reached the villa. 

There was nothing to do but to get ahead of all the 
parties in the hope of coming upon a habitation before 
going far. As soon, therefore, as the last band had dis- 
appeared he started at a run. The country was open, with 
few walls or fences ; therefore on leaving the road he was 
able to run rapidly forward, and in a few minutes knew 
that he must be ahead of the pirates ; then he again changed 
his course so as to strike the road he had left. 

After running for about a mile he saw a light ahead of 
him, and soon arrived at a cottage. He knocked at the 
door, and then entered. The occupants of the room — a 
man and woman, a lad, and several children — rose to their 
feet at the sudden entrance of the stranger. 

Good people, Francis said, I have just landed from 
a ship and am the bearer of important messages to the 
Signoras Polani. I have lost my way, and it is necessary 
that I should go on without a moments delay. Can you 
tell me how far the villa of Polani is distant ? ” 

It is about three miles from here,^^ the man said. 

I will give a ducat to your son if he will run on with 
me at once.^^ 

The man looked doubtful. The apparel and general 
appearance of Francis were not prepossessing ; he had 
been six days a prisoner in the hold without means of 
washing. 

See,^^ he said, producing a ducat, here is the money. 
I will give it you at once if you will order your son to go 
with me and to hurry at the top of his speed. 

IPs a bargain, the man said. Here, Rufo ! start at 
once with the signor.” 


THE LION OF ST. MABK. 


239 


‘^Come along, signor,” the boy said; and without an- 
other word to the parents Francis followed him out, and 
both set off at a run along the road. 

Francis had said nothing about pirates to the peasants, 
for he knew that did he do so such alarm would be caused 
that they would think of nothing but flight, and he should 
not be able to obtain a guide. It was improbable that they 
would be molested. The pirates were bent upon pillaging 
the villas of the wealthy, and would not risk the raising of 
an alarm by entering cottages where there was no chance 
of plunder. After proceeding a few hundred yards the lad 
struck off by a by-road at right angles to the one they had 
been following, and by the direction he took Francis felt 
that he must at first have gone far out of his way, and that 
the party going direct to the villa must have had a con- 
siderable start ; still he reckoned that as he was running 
at the rate of three feet to every one they would march, 
he might hope to arrive at the house well before them. 

Not a word was spoken as they ran along. The lad wan 
wondering in his mind as to what could be the urgent 
business that could necessitate its being carried at such 
speed, while Francis felt that every breath was needed for 
the work he had to do. Only once or twice he spoke, to 
ask how much further it was to their destination. The 
last answer was cheering : A few hundred paces further.” 

There are the lights, signor ; they have not gone to 
bed ; this is the door.” 

Francis knocked with the pommel of his sword, keeping 
up a loud, continuous knocking. A minute or two passed, 
and then a face appeared at the window above. 

"'Who is it that knocks so loudly at this time of 
night ? ” 

" It is Francisco Hammond. Open instantly ; danger 
threatens the signoras. Quick, for your life ! ” 

The servant recognized the voice and ran down without 
hesitation and unbarred the fastening ; but for a moment 


240 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


he thought he must have been mistaken as Francis ran 
into the lighted hall. 

Where are the ladies ? he asked. Lead me to them 
instantly. ” 

But as he spoke a door standing by was opened, and 
Signor Polani himself with the two girls appeared. They 
had been on the point of retiring to rest when the knock- 
ing began, and the merchant with his drawn sword was 
standing at the door when he recognized Francis^ voice. 
They were about to utter an exclamation of pleasure at 
seeing him, and of astonishment, not only at his sudden 
arrival, but at his appearance, when Francis burst out : 

There is no time for words, you must fly instantly. 
Ruggiero Mocenigo is close at my heels with a band of 
twenty pirates.^’ 

The girls uttered a cry of alarm, and the merchant ex- 
claimed : 

Can we not defend the house, Francisco ? I have 
eight men here, and we can hold it till assistance comes.” 

Ruggiero has a hundred,” Francis said, and all can 
be brought up in a short time — you must fly. For Grod^s 
sake, do not delay, signor. They may be here at any 
moment.” 

Come, girls,” Polani said ; and you too,” he went 
on, turning to the servants, whom the knocking had caused 
to assemble, ^^do you follow us ; resistance would only 
cost you your lives. Here, Maria, take my hand. Fran- 
cisco, do you see to Giulia. Close the door after the last 
of you, and bolt it. It will give us a few minutes before 
they break in and discover that we have all gone. Which 
way are the scoundrels coming ? ” 

Francis pointed in the direction from which he had come, 
and the whole party started at a fast pace in the other 
direction. They had not been gone flve minutes when a 
loud and sudden knocking broke on the silence of the 
night. 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


241 


It was a close thing indeed, Francisco,” the merchant 
said as they ran along close to each other. At present 
I feel as if I was in a dream ; but you shall tell us all pres- 
ently.” 

They were by this time outside the grounds of the villa, 
and some of the servants who knew the country now took the 
lead. In a few minutes the merchant slackened his pace. 

We are out of danger now,” he said. They will not 
know in which direction to search for us ; and if they 
scatter in pursuit we could make very short work of any 
that might come up with us.” 

^ ^ I do not know that you are out of danger,” Francis 
said. A hundred men landed ; Mocenigo with twenty 
took the line to your house, but the rest have scattered 
over the country in smaller hands, bent on murder and pil- 
lage. Therefore we had best keep on as fast as we can, 
until well beyond the circle they are likely to sweep — that 
is, unless the ladies are tired.” 

Tired ! ” Maria repeated. Why, Giulia and I go for 
long walks every day, and could run for an hour if neces- 
sary.” 

^^Then come on, my dears,” the merchant said. '^I 
am burning to know what this all means ; and I am sure 
you are equally curious ; but nothing can be said till you 
are in safety.” 

Accordingly the party again broke into a run. A few 
minutes later one of the servants, looking back, ex- 
claimed : 

They have fired the house, signor. There are flames 
issuing from one of the lower windows.” 

I expected that,” the merchant said, without looking 
back. That scoundrel would, in any case, light it in his 
fury at finding that we have escaped : but he has probably 
done so now in hopes that the light will enable him to djt 
cover us. It is well that we are so far ahead, for the bMte 
will light up the country for a long way round.” 

i6 


242 


THE LION OF ST. MABK. 


There is a wood a little way ahead, signor,” the serv- 
ant said. ** Once through that we shall be hidden from 
sight, however great the light. ” 

Arrived at the wood they again broke into a walk. 
A few hundred yards beyond the wood was some rising 
ground, from which they could see far over the country. 

Let us stop here,” the merchant said ; we are safe 
now. We have placed two miles between ourselves and 
those villains.” 

The villa was now a mass of flames. Exclamations of 
fury broke from the men-servants, while the women cried 
with anger at the sight of the destruction. 

Do not concern yourselves,” the merchants said ; ^^the 
house can be rebuilt, and I will see that none of you are 
the poorer for the loss of your belongings. Now, girls, let 
us sit down here and hear from Francisco how it is that 
he has once again been your saviour.” 

Before I begin, signor, tell me whether there are any 
ships of war in the port, and how far that is distant from 
us?” 

It is not above six miles on the other side of the isl- 
and ; that is to say, we have been going toward it since 
we left the villa. See,” he broke off, ^Hhereare flames 
rising in three or four directions ; the rest of those villains 
are at their work.” 

But are there any war galleys in the port ? ” Francis 
interrupted. 

Yes ; three ships were sent here on the report that a 
Moorish pirate had been cruising in these waters, and that 
vessels were missing. When the story first came I did not 
credit it. The captain of the ship who brought the news 
told me be had met you about halfway across, and had 
told you about the supposed pirate. A vessel arrived four 
days later, and brought letters from my agent, but he said 
no word about your boat having arrived. Then I became 
uneasy ; and when later news came and still no word of 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


243 


yon, I felt sure that something must have befallen you ; 
that possibly the report was true, and that you had fallen 
into the hands of the pirates. So I at once started in one 
of the galleys which the council were dispatching in answer 
to the request of the governor here."” 

In that case, signor, there is not a moment to lose. 
The governor should be informed that the pirate is lying 
on the opposite coast, and that his crew have landed and 
are burning and pillaging. If orders are issued at once, 
the galleys could get round before morning, and so cut 
off the retreat of these miscreants. 

^'You are quite right,” Polani said, rising at once. 

We will go on without a moments delay ! The girls can 
follow slowly under the escort of the servants.” 

Oh, papa,” Maria exclaimed, you are not going to 
take Francisco away till we have heard his story ! Can you 
not send forward the servants with a message to the gov- 
ernor ?” 

^^No, my dear. The governor may have gone to bed, 
and the servants might not be able to obtain admittance to 
him. I must go myself. It is for your sakes as well as 
for my own. We shall never feel a moments safety as 
long as this villain is at large. Francisco^s story will keep 
till to-morrow. As to your gratitude and mine, that needs 
no telling. He cannot but know what we are feeling at the 
thought of the almost miraculous escape you have had 
from falling into the hands of your persecutor. Now come 
along, Francisco. One of you men who knows the road 
had better come with us. Do the rest of you all keep to- 
gether. Two miles further, girls, as you know, is a villa 
of Carlo Maffene. If you feel tired, you had best stop 
and ask for shelter there. There is no fear that the pirates 
will extend their ravages so far. They will keep on the 
side of the island where they landed, so as to be able to re- 
turn with their booty before daybreak to the ship.” 


244 


THE LION OF ST, MARK. 


CHAPTEK XIV. 

THE EITD OF THE PERSECUTOR. 

SiGHOR PoLAHi was SO well known that upon his ar- 
rival at the governor's house the domestics, upon being 
aroused, did not hesitate to awaken the governor at once. 
The latter, as soon as he heard that the pirates had landed 
and were devastating the other side of the island, and that 
their ship was lying close in to the coast under the charge 
of a few sailors only, at once dispatched a messenger to 
the commander of the galleys, ordering them to arouse 
the crews and make ready to put out to sea instantly. He 
added that he himself should follow his messenger on board 
in a few minutes and should accompany them ; he then 
issued orders that the bell should toll to summon the in- 
habitants to arms ; and directed an officer to take the 
command, and to start with them at once across the island 
and to fall upon the pirates while engaged in their work ^ 
of pillage. They were to take a party with them with 
litters to carry Polani’s daughters to the town, and an 
apartment was to be assigned to them in his palace until 
his return. 

While he was issuing this order refreshments had been 
placed upon the table, and he pressed Polani and his com- 
panions to partake of these before starting. Francis needed 
no second invitation. He had been too excited at the 
news he had heard on board the ship to think of eating, 
and he now remembered that it was a good many hours 
since he had taken his last meal ; he was but a few min- 
tes, however, in satisfying his hunger. 


TEE LION OF ST. MARK. 


245 


By the time he had finished the governor had seen that 
his orders had been carried out. Two hundred armed 
citizens had already mustered in companies and were now 
on the point of setting out, burning with indignation at 
what they had heard of the depredations which the pirates 
had committed. After seeing his preparations complete, 
the governor, accompanied by Polani and Francis, made 
his way down to the port and was rowed out to the galleys. 
Here he found all on the alert. The sails were ready for 
hoisting, and the men were seated at the benches ready to 
aid with oars the light wind which was blowing. 

The governor now informed the commander of the ves- 
sels the reason of the sudden orders for sailing. The news. 

r i passed to the captains of the other two vessels, and 
a very few minutes the anchors were weighed and the 
''^ssels started on their way. Francis was closely ques- 
tioned as to the spot at which the pirate vessel was lying, 
but could only reply that, beyond the fact that it was some 
four miles from Polani^s villa, he had no idea of the 
locality. 

But can you not describe to us the nature of the coast? 
the commander said. 

^^That I cannot, Francis replied ; ^^for I was hidden 
away in the hold of the vessel and did not come on deck 
until after it was dark, at which time the land abreast of 
us was only a dark mass. 

Signor Polani has informed me,^^ the governor said, 
that although your attire does not betoken it you are a 
dear friend of his ; but he has not yet informed me how it 
comes that you were upon this pirate ship.” 

He has been telling me as we came along,” Polani re- 
plied ; and a strange story it is. He was on his voyage 
hither in the Naxos, which, as you doubtless remember, 
was a little craft of mine, which should have arrived here 
a month since. As we supposed, it was captured by the 
pirates, the leader of whom is Ruggiero Mocenigo, who, ag 


246 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


of course you know, made his escape from the custody of 
the officers of the state, they being overpowered by a party 
of Paduans. The sentence of banishment for life has 
been passed against him, and, until I heard from my friend 
here that he was captain of the pirate which has been seen 
off this island, I knew not what had become of him. 

Those on board the Naxos were taken prisoners and 
confined in the pirate’s hold, which they found already 
filled with captives taken from other ships. The pirate at 
once sailed for Africa, where all the prisoners were sold as 
slaves to the Moors, my friend here alone excepted, Moce- 
nigo having an old feud with him and a design to keep 
him in his hands. Learning that a raid was intended upon 
Corfu with the special design of carrying off my daughters, 
whom Mocenigo had twice previously tried to abduct, 
Prancisco managed to get on board the vessel and conceal 
himself in her hold in order that he might frustrate the 
■design. He managed in the dark to mingle with the land- 
ing party, and then, separating from them, made his way 
on ahead, and fortunately was able to obtain a guide to 
my house, which he reached five minutes only before the 
arrival of the pirates there.” 

Admirable, indeed ! and we are all vastly indebted to 
him, for had it not been for him we should not have known 
of the doings of these scoundrels until too late to cut off 
their retreat ; and, once away in their ship again, they 
might long have preyed upon our commerce before one of 
our cruisers happened to fall in with them. As for Eug- 
giero Mocenigo, he is a disgrace to the name of a Vene- 
tian ; and it is sad to think that one of our most noble 
families should have to bear the brand of being connected 
with a man so base and villainous. However, I trust that 
his power of ill-doing has come to an end. Is the vessel a 
fast one, signor ? ” 

I cannot say whether she sails fast,” Francis replies ; 
but she certainly rows fast.” 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


247 


I trust that we shall catch her before she gets under 
way,” the commander of the galleys said. Our vessels 
are not made for rowing, although we get out oars to help 
them along in calm weather.” 

What course do you propose to take ? ” the merchant 
asked. 

When we approach the spot where she is likely to be 
lying I shall o.rder the captains of the other two ships to 
lie off the coast a couple of miles distant and as far from 
each other, so that they can cut her off as she makes out 
to sea. We will follow the coast line, keeping in as close 
as the water will permit, and in this way we shall most 
likely come upon her. If we should miss her I shall at the 
first dawn of morning join the others in the offing, and 
keep watch till she appears from under the shadow of the 
land.” 

It was now three o^clock in the morning, and an hour 
later the three vessels parted company, and the galley with 
the governor and commander of the squadron rowed for 
the shore. When they came close to the land the captain 
ordered the oars to be laid in. 

The breeze is very light,” he said ; but it is favor- 
able, and will enable us to creep along the shore. If we 
continue rowing those in charge of the ship may hear us 
coming and may cut their cables, get up sail, and make 
out from the land without our seeing them. On a still 
night like this the sound of the sweeps can be heard a very 
long distance.” 

Quietly the vessel made her way along the shore. Over 
the land the sky was red with the reflection of numerous 
fires, but this only made the darkness more intense under 
its shadow, and the lead was kept going in order to pre- 
vent them from sailing into shallow water. By the cap- 
tain^s orders strict silence was observed on board the ship, 
and every eye was strained ahead on the lookout for the 
pirate vessel. Presently all became aware of a confused 


248 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


noise apparently coming from the land, but at some dis- 
tance ahead. As they got further on distant shouts and 
cries were heard. 

I fancy/’ the governor said to the captain, the band 
from the town have met the pirates, and the latter are re- 
treating to their ship.” 

Then the ship can’t be far off,” the captain said. 

Daylight is beginning to break in the east, and we shall 
soon be able to make her out against the sky — that is, if 
she is still lying at anchor.” 

On getting round the next point the vessel was distinctly 
visible. The shouting on the shore was now plainly heard, 
and there could no doubt that a desperate fight was going 
on there. 

It seemed to be close to the water’s edge. 

** There is a boat rowing off to the ship,” one of the 
sailors said. 

Then get out your oars again ; she is not more than 
half a mile away, and she can hardly get under way before 
we reach her. Besides, judging from the sound of the 
fight, the pirates must have lost a good many men and will 
not be able to man all the oars even if they do gain their 
ship.” 

The men sat down to their oars with alacrity. Every 
sailor on board felt it almost as a personal insult that 
pirates should dare to enter the Venetian waters and carry 
on their depredations there. The glare of the burning 
houses, too, had fired their indignation to the utmost, and 
all were eager for the fight. Three boats were now seen 
rowing toward the ship. 

Stretch to your oars, men,” the captain said ; we 
must be alongside them if we can before they can take to 
their sweeps.” 

The pirates had now seen them ; and Francis, standing 
at the bow eagerly watching the vessel, could hear orders 
ehouted to the boats. These pulled rapidly alongside, and 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


249 


he could see the men clambering up in the greatest haste. 
There was a din of voices ; some men tried to get up the 
sails, others got out oars, and the utmost confusion evi- 
dently prevailed. In obedience to the shouts of the officers 
the sails were lowered again and all betook themselves to 
the oars, but scarce a stroke had been pulled before the 
Venetian galley ran up alongside. Grapnels were thrown, 
and the crew, seizing their weapons, sprang on to the deck 
of the pirate. 

The crew of the latter knew that they had no mercy to 
expect, and although weakened by the loss of nearly a 
third of their number in the fighting on shore, sprang from 
their benches and rushed to oppose their assailants, with 
the desperation of despair. They were led by Ruggiero 
Mocenigo, who, furious at the failure of his schemes, and 
preferring death to the shame of being carried to Venice 
as a pirate and a traitor, rushed upon the Venetians with 
a fury which at first carried all before it. Supported by 
his Moors and renegades he drove back the boarders, and 
almost succeeded in clearing the deck of his vessel. 

He himself engaged hand-to-hand with the commander 
of the Venetian galley, and at the third thrust ran him 
through the throat ; but the Venetians, although they had 
yielded to the first onslaught, again poured over the bul- 
warks of the galley. Polani, burning to punish the man 
who had so repeatedly tried to injure him, accompanied 
them, Francis keeping close beside him. 

Ruggiero Mocenigo, traitor and villain, your time has 
come ! 

Ruggiero started at hearing his name thus proclaimed, 
for on board his own ship he was simply known as the cap- 
tain ; but in the dim light he recognized Polani, and at 
once crossed swords with him. 

Be not so sure, Polani ; perhaps it is your time that 
has come,^^ 

The two engaged with fury. Polani was still strong and 


250 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


vigorous ; his opponent had the advantage of youth and 
activity. But Polani's weight and strength told, and he 
was forcing his opponent back when his foot slipped on the 
blood-stained deck. He fell forward, and in another mo- 
ment Euggiero would have run him through the body had 
not the weapon been knocked up by Francis, who watch- 
ing every movement of the fight, sprang forward when he 
saw the merchant slip. 

This time, Euggiero, my hands are free. How about 
your vengeance now ? ” 

Euggiero gave a cry of astonishment at seeing the lad 
whom he believed to be lying in chains five hundred miles 
away, facing him. For a moment he recoiled, and then 
with a cry : 

I will take it now,^^ sprang forward ; but this time 
he had met an opponent as active and as capable as him- 
self. 

For a minute or two they fought on even terms, and then 
Euggiero fell suddenly backward, a crossbow bolt from one 
of the Venetians on the poop of the vessel having struck 
him full in the forehead. 

Without their leader the spirit of the pirates had fied. 
They still fought, steadily and desperately, but it was only 
to sell their lives as dearly as possible ; and in five minutes 
after the fall of Euggiero the last man was cut down, for 
no quarter was given to pirates. 

Just as the combat concluded the sound of oars was 
heard, and the other two galleys came up to the assistance 
of their consort. They arrived too late to take part in the 
confiict, but cheered lustily when they heard that the pirate 
captain and all his crew had been killed. Upon learning 
that the commander of the galley was killed, the captain 
next in seniority assumed the command. In a few minutes 
the bodies of the pirates were thrown overboard, the 
wounded were carried below to have their wounds attended 
to, while the bodies of those who had fallen — thirteen in 



L. St. M.j Death of thb pirate Ruggiero Mocenigo.— P age 250. 
































THE LION OF 8T. MARK. 251 

number— were laid together on the deck, for burial on 
shore. 

Thanks to you, Francisco, that I am not lying there 
beside them,^^ the m rchant said. I did not know that 
you were so close at hand, and as I slipped I felt that my 
end had come.” 

You were getting the better of him up to that point,” 
Francis said. I was close at hand in readiness to strike 
in should I see that my aid was wanted, but up to the mo- 
ment you slipped I believed that you would have avenged 
your wrongs yourself.” 

It is well that he fell as he did. It would have been 
dreadful, indeed, had he been carried to Venice to bring 
shame and disgrace upon a noble family. Thank God, 
his power for mischief is at an end ! I have had no peace 
of mind since the day when you first thwarted his attempt 
to carry off the girls, nor should I have ever had until I 
obtained sure tidings that he was dead. The perseve- 
rance with which he has followed his resolve to make my 
daughter his wife is almost beyond belief. Had his mind 
been turned to other matters he was capable of attaining 
greatness, for no obstacle would have barred his way. It 
almost seems as if it were a duel between him and you to 
the dea h — his aim to injure me, and yours to defend us ; 
and now it has ended. Maria will breathe more freely 
when she hears the news, for, gay light-hearted as she is, 
the dread of that man has weighed heavily upon her.” 

The governor, who from the poop of the vessel had 
watched the conflict, now came up and warmly congratu- 
lated Francis upon his bravery. 

I saw you rush forward just as my friend Polani fell 
and engage his assailant. At first I thought you lost, for 
the villain was counted one of the best swordsmen in 
Venice, and you are still but a lad ; but I saw you did not 
give way an inch, but held your own against him ; and I 
believe you would have slain him unaided, for you were 


252 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


fighting with greater coolness than he was ; still I was re- 
lieved when I saw him fall, for even then the combat was 
donbtfnl, and his men, to do them justice, fought like 
demons. How comes it that one so young as you should 
he so skilled with your weapon ? 

This is not the first time that my young friend has 
done good service to the state,^^ Polani said ; for it was 
he who led a crew of one of my ships to the aid of Pisani 
when his galley was boarded by the Genoese, at the battle 
of Antium.” 

Is this he ? ” the governor said in surprise. I heard, 
of course, by the account of those who came from Venice 
a month since, how Pisani was aided, when hard pressed, 
by the crew of one of your ships, headed by a young Eng- 
lishman, upon whom the state had conferred the rights of 
citizenship as a recognition of his services ; hut I did not 
dream that the Englishman was but a lad. What is your 
age, young sir ? 

I am just eighteen,” Francis replied. Our people 
are all fond of strong exercise, and thus it was that I be- 
came more skilled perhaps than many of my age in the use 
of arms.” 

At nine o’clock the squadron arrived in the port, bring- 
ing with them the captured galley. As soon as they were 
seen approaching, the church bells rang, flags were hung 
out from the houses, and the whole population assembled 
at the quay to welcome the victors and to hear the news. 

Do you go on at once directly we land, Francisco, and 
set the girls’ minds at ease. I must come on with the 
governor, and he is sure to he detained and will have 
much to say before he can make his way through the 
crowd.” 

Francis was, on his arrival at the governor’s, recognized 
by the domestics, and at once shown into the room where 
the girls were awaiting him. The fact that the pirate 
galley had been captured was already known to them, the 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 253 

news having been brought some hours before by a horse- 
man from the other side of the island. 

Where is our father ? ” Maria exclaimed as Francis 
entered alone. 

He is well, and sent me on to relieve your minds.” 

^^St. Mark be praised!” Maria said. We have been 
sorely anxious about you both. A messenger who brought 
the news said that it could be seen from the shore that 
there was a desperate fight on board the pirate ship, which 
was attacked by one galley only. We felt sure that it 
would be the ship that the governor was in, and we knew 
you were with him ; and our father was so enraged at what 
had happened that we felt sure he would take part in the 
fight.” 

He did so,” Francis said, and himself engaged hand- 
to-hand with Mocenigo, and would probably have killed 
him had not his foot slipped on the deck. I was, of course, 
by his side, and occupied the villain until a cross-bolt 
pierced his brain. So there is an end to all your trouble 
with him.” 

Is he really dead ? ” Maria said. “ Oh, Francisco, 
how thankful I am I he seemed so determined that I began 
to think he was sure some day to succeed in carrying me 
off. Not that I would ever have become his wife, for I 
had vowed to kill myself before that came about. I should 
have thought he might have known that he could never 
have forced me to be his wife.” 

told him the same thing,” Francis said, ^'and he 
replied that he was not afraid of that, for that he should 
have your sister in his power also, and that he should warn 
you that if you laid hands on yourself he should make her 
his wife instead of you.” 

The girls both gave an exclamation of horror. 

never thought of that,” Maria said ; ^^but he would 
indeed have disarmed me with such a threat. It would 
have been horrible for me to have been the wife of such a 


254 


THE LION OF ST, MARK. 


man ; but I think I could have borne it rather than have 
consigned Giulia to such a fate. Oh, here is father ! ** 

I have got away sooner than I expected/^ Polani said 
as he entered. The governor was good enough to beg 
me to come on at once to you. You have heard all the 
news, I suppose, and know that our enemy will persecute 
you no more ? 

‘‘We have heard, papa, and also that you yourself 
fought with him, which was very wrong and very rash of 
you” 

“ And did he tell you that had it not been for him I 
should not be here alive now, girls ? ” 

“ No, father ; he said that when you slipped he occupied 
Kuggiero^s attention until the cross-bolt struck him.^^ 

“ That is what he did, my dear ; but had he not occupied 
his attention I should have been a dead man. The thrust 
was aimed at me as I fell, and would have pierced me had 
he not sprung forward and turned it aside, and then en- 
gaged in a single combat with Mocenigo, who, with all his 
faults, was brave and a skillful swordsman ; and yet, as 
the governor himself said, probably Francisco would have 
slain him even, had not the combat ended as it did. And 
now we must have his story in full. I have not heard 
much about it yet, and you have heard nothing ; and I 
want to know how he managed to get out of the hands of 
that man when he had once fallen into them.^’ 

“ That is what we want to know too, father. We know 
what a sharp watch was kept upon us, and I am sure they 
must have been much more severe with him.” 

“ They were certainly more severe,” Francis said, 
smiling, for my right hand was chained to my left ankle 
and the left hand to the right ankle — not tightly, you 
know, but the chain was so short that I could not stand 
upright ; but, on the other hand, I do not think my guards 
were as vigilant as yours. However, I will tell you the 
whole story.” 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


255 


The girls listened with rapt attention to the story of the 
capture, the escape, and of his hiding in the hold of the 
pirate in order to be able to give them a warning in time. 

Your escape was fortunate indeed,'^ the merchant said 
when he had finished. ‘^Fortunate both for you and for 
us, for I have no doubt that Mocenigo had intended to put 
you to a lingering death on his return. As for the girls, 
nothing could have saved them from the fate he designed 
for them save the method which you took of arriving here 
before him.’’ 

What are we to do for him, father ? ” Maria exclaimed. 
We are not tired of thanking him, but he hates being 
thanked. If he would only get into some terrible scrape 
Giulia and I would set out to rescue him at once ; but you 
see he gets out of his scrapes before we hear of them. It 
is quite disheartening not to be able to do anything.” 
Francis laughed merrily. 

It is terrible, is it not, signora ? But if I manage to 
get into any scrape, and have time to summon you to my 
assistance, be sure I will do so. But, you see, one cannot 
get into a scrape when one chooses, and I must be content 
while I am away in knowing that I have the good wishes 
of you and your sister.” 

Do not trouble yourself, Maria,” her father said ; 
some day an opportunity may come for our paying our 
debts, and in the meantime Francis is content that we 
should be his debtors.” 

And now, what are you going to do, papa ?” 

^^I shall sail with you for Venice to-morrow. The 
governor will be sending one of the galleys with the news 
of the capture of the pirate, and doubtless he will give us 
all a passage in her. I shall order steps to be taken at 
once for rebuilding the villa, and will get it completed by 
the spring, before which time you will be ofi my hands, 
young lady ; and I shall not be altogether sorry, for you 
have been a very troublesome child lately.” 


256 


THE LION OF ST, MABK, 


It has not been my fault,” Maria pouted. 

Not at all, my dear. It has been your misfortune, and 
I am not blaming you at all.” 

But the trouble is now over, father ! ” 

So much the better for Kufino,” the merchant said. 

It will be good news to him that you are freed from the 
persecution of Euggiero. And now I must leave you, for 
I have arranged to ride over with the governor to the other 
side of the island. He has to investigate the damage which 
took place last evening. I hear that upward of a score of 
villas were sacked and destroyed, and that many persons 
were killed, and while he is doing that I shall see what has 
to be done at our place. I don^t know whether the walls 
are standing or whether it will have to be entirely rebuilt, 
and I must arrange with some builder to go over from 
here with me and take my instructions as to what must be 
done.” 

On the following day the party set sail for Venice, where 
they arrived without adventure. Preparations were at 
once begun for the marriage of Maria with Eufino Giusti- 
niani, and six weeks later the wedding ceremony took place. 
Francis did not go to sea until this was over, for when he 
spoke of a fresh voyage a short time after their return 
Maria declared that she would not be married unless he 
remained to be present. 

You have got me out of all my scrapes hitherto, Fran- 
cisco, and you must see me safely through this.” 

As Signor Polani also declared that it was not to be 
thought of that Francis should leave until after the mar- 
riage, he was obliged to remain for it. He was glad, how- 
ever, when it was over, for he found the time on shore 
more tedious than usual. The girls were taken up with 
the preparations for the ceremony, and visitors were con- 
stantly coming and going, and the house was not like itself. 
But even when the marriage was over he was forced to 
remain some time longer in Venice. The Genoese fleets 


TEE LION OF ST, MARK. 


257 


were keeping the sea, and Pisani had not, since the battle 
of Antium, succeeded in coming up with them ; the con- 
sequence was that commerce was at a standstill, for the 
risk of capture was so great that the merchants ceased to 
send their ships to sea. 

The profit would not repay us for the risk, Francisco, 
the merchant said one day when they were talking over it. 

If only one cargo in ten fell into their hands the profit 
off the other nine would be swept away ; but as I see that 
you are longing to be afloat again, you can, if you like, join 
one of the state galleys which start next week to reinforce 
l^isani^s fleet. The last time Pisani wrote to me he said 
how glad he should be to have you with him ; and after 
your service at Antium I have no doubt whatever that I 
co)ild procure for you a post as second in command in one 
of the ships. What do you say ? ” 

I should certainly like it, signor, greatly ; hut, as you 
said before, it would be a mere waste of time for me to 
take service with the state when I am determined upon 
the vocation of a merchant.” 

I did say that, Francis, and meant it at the time, hut 
Jit present trade is, as you see, at a standstill, so you would 
not be losing time, and, in the next place, it is always an 
advantage even to a trader to stand well with the state. 
Here in Venice all the great merchants are of noble family, 
and trade is no bar to occupying the highest offices of the 
state. Many of our doges have been merchants ; while 
merchants are often soldiers, diplomatists, or governors, 
as the state requires their services. You have already, 
you see, obtained considerable benefit by the action at 
Antium. I do not say that you would derive any direct 
benefit even were you to distinguish yourself again as 
nighly as on that occasion, still it is always well to gain 
the consideration of your fellows and to be popular with 
the people. Therefore if you would like to take service 
with the state until this affair is decided with Genoa and 

17 


258 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


the seas are again open to our ships, I think it will be ad- 
vantageous to you rather than not/’ 

Then, with your permission I will certainly do so, 
signor,” Francis said. Of course I should prefer to go 
as an officer on board one of the ships ; but if not, I will 
go as a volunteer,” 

^^Tou need not fear about that, Francis. With my 
influence and that of the Giustiniani, and the repute you 
have gained for yourself, you may be sure of an appoint- 
ment. Kufino would have commanded one of the ships 
had it not been for his marriage.” 

Kuflno Giustiniani had indeed been most warm in his 
expressions of gratitude to Francis, to whom the whole 
family had shown the greatest attention, giving him 
many presents as a proof of their good-will and grati- 
tude. 

am quite jealous of your English friend,” Eufino had 
said one day to Maria, do believe, Maria, that you 
care for him more than you do for me ; it is lucky for me 
that he is not two or three years older.” 

Maria laughed. 

I do care for him dearly ; and if he had been, as you 
say, older and had fallen in love with me, I can’t say how 
it would have been. You must acknowledge it would be 
very hard to say no to a man who keeps on saving you 
from frightful peril ; but then, you see, a girl can’t fall in 
love with a man who does not fall in love with her. Fran- 
cisco is so different from us Venetians ; he always says just 
what he thinks, and never pays any one even the least bit of 
a compliment. How can you fall in love with a man like 
that ? Of cours eyou can love him like a brother — and I do 
love Francisco as if he were my brother — but I don’t think 
we should have got further than that if he had been ever 
so old.” 

^^And does Francis never pay you compliments, 
fliulia ? ” 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 259 

Never ! ” Giulia said decidedly. It would be hateful. 
oi him if he did.” 

But Maria doesn^t object to compliments, Giulia. 
She looks for them as if they were her daily bread ; don^t 
you, Maria ? You will have to learn to put up with 
them soon, Giulia, for you will be out in society now, 
and the young men will crowd round your chair just 
as they have done round that of this little flirt your 
sister.” 

I shall have to put up with it, I suppose,” Giulia said 
quietly, just as one puts up with other annoyances ; but 
I should certainly never get to care for any one who thinks 
so little of me as to believe that I could be pleased by be- 
ing addressed in such terms.” 

^^Trom which I gather,” Giustiniani said, smiling, 

that this Engilsh lad^s bluntness of speech pleases you 
more than it does Maria ? ” 

It pleases Maria too,” Giulia said, though she may 
choose to say that it doesn^t. And I don^t think it quite 
right to discuss him at all when we aU owe him as much 
as we do.” 

Giustiniani glanced at Maria and gave a little signifi- 
cant nod. 

I do not think Giulia regards Francisco in quite the 
brotherly way that you do, Maria,” he whispered presently 
to her. 

‘^Perhaps not,” Maria answered. ^^You see she had 
not fallen in love with you before she met him. But I do 
not know ; Giulia seldom speaks of him when we are alone, 
and if she did, you don’t suppose I should tell you my 
sister’s secrets, sir ? ” 

The day after his conversation with Francis, Polani 
handed him his nomination as second in command of the 
Pluto, which he had obtained that morning from the seig- 
nory. 

You will be glad to hear that it is in this ship that 


260 


T3E LION OF ST. MARK. 


Matteo also sails/^ for Matteo liad come liome for his bro- 
ther’s wedding. 

I am very glad of that,” Francis said. I wish that 
poor Giuseppi was also here to go with me. I shall miss 
him terribly ; he was a most faithful and devoted fol- 
lower.” 

I have already sent orders to my agent in Tunis to 
spare no pains in discovering to whom the crew of the 
Naxos were sold. It is unfortunate that so many other 
captives were sold at the same time, as it will make it so 
much more difficult to trace our men. Those purchasing 
are not likely to know more than their first names, and 
may not even take the trouble to find out those, but may 
give them the first appellation that comes to hand ; there- 
fore he has to find out who are now the masters of the 
whole of the captives sold at the same time, and then to 
pursue his investigations until he discovers the identity of 
the men he is looking for. Once he has found this I will 
promise you there will be no delay. I have ordered him 
to make the best bargain in each case he can, but that at 
any rate he is to buy every one of them, whatever it may 
cost. I have sent him the personal descriptions of each 
man of the boat’s crew, as given to me by their friends 
and relatives here, as this will be an assistance in his search. 
If, for instance, he hears of a Christian slave named Giu- 
seppi living with a master some hundreds of miles in the 
interior, the fact that this man is middle-aged will show 
at once that he was not the Giuseppi, aged twenty, of 
whom he is in search. I have particularly impressed upon 
him in my letter that we were especially anxious for the 
rescue of the captain and the young man Giuseppi, so I 
hope that by the time you return from the voyage I may 
have received some news of them.” 

Matteo was greatly pleased when he heard that he was 
going to sail under Francis. 

•^I would rather that we had both been volunteers,” 


THE LION OF ST. MAEK. 


261 


Francis said ; it seems absurd my being appointed second 
officer, while you as yet have no official position.” 

I am not in the least bit in the world jealous, Fran- 
cisco. With the exception of taking part in the fight at 
Antium, I have had no experience whatever, while you 
have been going through all sorts of adventures for the 
last two years and always have come out of them marvel- 
ously well.” 

An hour after Matteo left him, a retainer of the family 
brought Francis a letter from Signor Giustiniani, inviting 
him to come to his house that evening, as many of Matteo^s 
comrades on board the Pluto would be present. 

On Francis going to the palace he found assembled not 
only the young men who would be Matteo^s comrades as 
volunteers, but also the captain and other officers of the 
ship, and to them Signor Giustiniani personally presented 
Francis, while E«fino and Matteo did all they could to in- 
sure the heartiest welcome for him by telling every one 
how greatly they were indebted to him, and how gallantly 
he had behaved on several occasions. ' Many of the young 
men he already knew as Matteo^s friends, and by them he 
was received with the greatest cordiality ; but his reception 
by the captain, and one or two of the other officers, was 
much more cool. The captain, whose name was Carlo 
Bottini, was a distant connection of the Mocenigo family, 
and was therefore already prejudiced against Francis. 
The coolness of the other officers was due to the fact that 
Francis, a foreigner and several years junior to themselves, 
had been placed in command over their heads. 


262 


THE LION OF ST, MARK, 


CHAPTEE XV. 

THE BATTLE OF POLA. 

The squadron, consisting of four galleys, sailed for 
Cyprus, where Pisani had just endeavored without success, 
to expel the Genoese from Famagosta. It was toward the 
end of August that they effected a junction with his fleet. 
Pisani received Francis with great warmth, and in the 
presence of many officers remarked that he was glad to see 
that the republic was at last appointing men for their 
merits, and not as heretofore, allowing family connection 
and influence to be the chief passport to their favor. 

For two months the fleet sailed among the islands of the 
Levant and along the shores of Greece, Istria, and Dal- 
matia, hoping to And the Genoese fleet, but altogether 
without success. In November, when they were on the 
coast of Istria, winter set in with extraordinary severity, 
and the frost was intense. Pisani wrote to his government 
asking permission to bring the fleet into Venice until the 
spring. The seignory, however, refused his request, for 
they feared that were it known that their fleet had come 
into port for the winter the Genoese would take advantage 
of its absence to seize upon some of the islands belonging 
to Venice, and to induce the inhabitants of the cities of 
Istria and Dalmatia, always ready for revolt, to declare 
against her. 

The flrst indications of the winter were more than veri- 
fied. The cold was altogether extraordinary ; and out of 
the nineteen galleys of Pisani only six were fit to take the 
sea with their full complement of men when the spring of 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


263 


1379 began. Many of the vessels had been disabled by 
storms ; numbers of the men had died, more had been sent 
home invalided, and it was only by transferring the men 
in the best condition from the other vessels to the six that 
the crews of the latter were made up to their full strength. 

As soon as the terrible frost broke, Pisani received a rein- 
forcement of twelve ships from Venice, these being, for 
the most part, built and equipped at the cost of his per- 
sonal friends, Polani having contributed two of the num- 
ber. With the eighteen sail Pisani put to sea to prosecute 
a fresh search for the Genoese admiral, Doria, and his 
fleet. The Pluto was one of the six vessels which remained 
in good condition at the end of the winter, thanks in no 
small degree to the energy and care which Francis had be- 
stowed in looking after the welfare of the crew. In the 
most bitter weather he had himself landed with the boats 
to see that flrewood was cut and brought off in abundance, 
not only for the officers^ cabins, but to warm that portion 
of the ship inhabited by the men. Knowing that Polani 
would not grudge any sum which might be required he 
obtained from his agents ample supplies of warm clothing 
and bedding for the men, occupying himself incessantly 
for their welfare, while the captain and other officers 
passed their time in their warm and comfortable cabins. 

Francis induced Matteo and several of his comrades 
to brave the weather as he did, and to exert themselves 
for the beneflt of the men, and the consequence was that, 
while but few of the other ships retained enough men to 
raise their sails in case of emergency, the strength of the 
crew of the Plato was scarcely impaired at the termination 
of the winter. The admiral, on paying a visit of inspec* 
tion to the ship, was greatly struck with the contrast 
which the appearance of the crew afforded to that of the 
other galleys, and warmly complimented the commander 
on the condition of his men. 

The captain received the praise as if it was entirely due 


264 


THE LION OF ST, MARK. 


to himself, and said not a single word of the share which 
Francis had had in bringing it about. Matteo was most 
indignant at this injustice toward his friend, and managed 
that, through a relative serving in the admiraFs own ship, a 
true report of the case should come to PisanFs ears. 
Francis was in no way troubled at the captain^s appropria- 
tion of the praise due to himself. There had not, from the 
time he sailed, been any cordiality between Francis and the 
other officers. These had been selected for the position 
solely from family influence, and none of them were ac- 
quainted with the working of a ship. 

In those days, not only in Venice but in other coun- 
tries, naval battles were fought by soldiers rather than 
sailors. Nobles and knights, with their retainers, em- 
barked on board a ship for the purpose of fighting, and of 
fighting only, the management of the vessel being carried 
on entirely by sailors under their own officers. Thus, 
neither the commander of the force on board the galley, 
nor any of his officers, with the exception of Francis, 
knew anything whatever about the management of the 
ship, nor were capable of giving orders to the crew. 
Among the latter were some who had sailed with Francis 
in his first two voyages, and these gave so excellent a 
report of him to the rest that they were from the first 
ready to obey his orders as promptly as those of their own 
sub-officer. 

Francis concerned himself but little with the ill-will 
that was shown by the officers. He knew that it arose 
from jealousy, not only of the promotion he, a foreigner and 
a junior in years, had received over them, but of the fact 
that he had already received the thanks of the republic 
for services he had rendered, and stood high in the favor 
of the admiral, who never lost an opportunity of showing 
the interest he had in him. Had the hostility shown itself 
in any offensive degree Francis would at once have re- 
sented it ; but Matteo and some of those on board who 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


265 


had been his comrades in the fencing-rooms had given 
such reports of his powers with his weapons that even 
those most opposed to him thought it prudent to observe 
a demeanor of outward politeness towards him. 

For three months the search for the Genoese fleet was 
ineffectual. A trip had been made along the coast of Apu- 
lia, and the fleet had returned to Pola with a large convoy 
of merchant ships loaded with grain, when on the 7th of 
May Doria appeared off the port with twenty-flve sail. 

But Pisani was now by no means anxious to flght. Zeno 
was away with a portion of the fleet, and although he had 
received reinforcements he numbered but twenty-one ves- 
sels, and a number of his men were laid up with sickness. 
The admiral, however, was not free to follow out the dic- 
tates of his own opinions. The Venetians had a mischiev- 
ous habit, which was afterward adopted by the French 
republic, of fettering their commanders by sea and land 
by appointing civilian commissioners, or, as they were 
termed in Venice, proveditors, who had power to overrule 
the nominal commander. When, therefore, Pisani as- 
sembled a council of war, and informed them of his reasons 
for wishing to remain on the defensive until the return 
of Zeno, he was overruled by the proveditors, who not only 
announced themselves unanimously in favor of battle, but 
sneered at Pisani^s prudence as the result of cowardice. 
Pisani in his indignation drew his sword and would have 
attacked the proveditors on the spot had he not been re- 
strained by his captains. 

However, the council decided upon instant battle, and 
Pisani was forced, by the rules of the service, at once to 
carry their decision into effect. Ascending the poop of 
his galley, he addressed in a loud voice the crews of the 
ships gathered around him. 

^‘Remember, my brethren, that those who will now face 
you are the same whom you vanquished with so much 
glory on the Roman shore. Do not let the name of Luciano 


266 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


Doria terrify you ; it is not the names of commanders that 
will decide the conflict, but Venetian hearts and Venetian 
hande. Let him that loves St. Mark follow me.^^ 

The men received the address with a shout, and as soon 
as the commanders had regained their galleys the fleet 
moved out to attack the enemy. The fight was a furious 
one, each vessel singling out an opponent and engaging 
her hand to hand. Carlo Bottini was killed early in the 
fight, and Francis succeeded to the command. His galley 
had grappled with one of the largest of the Genoese vessels, 
and a desperate conflict went on. Sometimes the Vene- 
tians gained a footing on the deck of the Genoese, some- 
times they were driven back and the Genoese in turn 
poured on board, but no decisive advantage was gained on 
either side after an hour’s fighting. 

The Genoese crew was numerically much stronger than 
that of the Pluto, and although Francis with Matteo and 
his comrades headed their men and cheered them on, they 
could make no impression on the ranks of the enemy. 
Suddenly the Genoese threw off the grapnels that attached 
the two ships, and hoisting their sails, sheered off. Fran- 
cis looked round to see the cause of this sudden maneuver, 
and perceived for the first time that the Genoese vessels 
were all inflight, with the Venetians pressing closely upon 
them. 

Sails were at once hoisted, and the Pluto joined in the 
chase. But the flight was a feigned one, and it was only 
designed to throw the V enetian rank into confusion. After 
sailing for two miles the Genoese suddenly turned and fell 
upon their pursuers as they came up in straggling order. 
The result was decisive. Many of the Venetian ships were 
captured before the rest came up to take part in the bat- 
tle ; others were hemmed in by numerous foes. Pisani, 
after fighting until he saw that all was lost, made the sig- 
nal for the ships to withdraw from the conflict, and he 
himself, with six galleys, succeeded in fighting his way 


TEE LION OF ST. MARK. 267 

through the enemy’s fleet, and gained a refuge in the port 
of Parenzo. 

All the rest were taken. From seven to eight hundred 
Venetians perished in the flght, two thousand four hundred 
were taken prisoners, twelve commanders were killed, and 
flve captured. The Genoese losses were also severe, and 
Doria himself was among the slain, having been killed by a 
spear-thrust by Donato Zeno, commander of one of the 
galleys, almost at the moment of victory. 

The Pluto had defended herself for a long time against 
the attacks of three of the Genoese galleys, and had re- 
peatedly endeavored to force her way out of the throng, but 
the Genoese held her fast with their grapnels, and at last 
the greater part of her crew were driven down below, and 
Francis, seeing the uselessness of further resistance, ordered 
the little group, who were now completely pent in by the 
Genoese, to lower their weapons. All were more or less 
severely wounded, and were bleeding from sword cuts and 
thrusts. 

^^This is an evil day for Venice,” Matteo said, as, hav- 
ing been deprived of their weapons, the prisoners were 
thrust below. I heard the Genoese say that only six of 
our galleys have escaped, all the rest having been taken. 
We were the last ship to surrender, that’s a comfort any- 
how.” 

^^Now, Matteo, before you do anything else let me bind 
up your wounds ; you are bleeding in two or three places.” 

^^And you are bleeding from something like a dozen, 
Francisco, so you had better let me play the doctor first.” 

The captain is always served last, so do as you are told, 
and strip off your doublet. Now, gentlemen,” he said, 
turning to the other officers, let each of us do what we 
can to dress the wounds of others ; we can expect no care 
from the Genoese leeches, who will have their hands full 
for a long time to come with their own men. There are 
some among us who will soon bleed to death unless their 


268 


THE LION OF ST, MABK. 


wounds are stanched. Let us, therefore, take the most 
serious cases first, and so on in rotation until all have been 
attended to.^^ 

It was fortunate for them that in the hold in which they 
were confined there were some casks of water ; for, for 
hours the Genoese paid no attention whatever to their 
prisoners, and the wounded were beginning to suffer ag- 
onies of thirst when the barrels were fortunately discovered. 
The head of one was knocked in, and some shallow tubs 
used for serving the water to the crew filled, and the men 
knelt down and drank by turns from these. Many were 
too enfeebled by their wounds to rise, and their thirst was 
assuaged by dipping articles of clothing into the water, 
and letting the fluid from these run into their mouths. 

It was not until next morning that the prisoners were 
ordered to come on deck. Many had died during the 
night, others were too weak to obey the summons. The 
names of the rest were taken, and not a little surprise was 
expressed by the Genoese officers at the extreme youth of 
the officer in command of the Pluto. 

I was only the second in command, Francis said in 
answer to their question. Carlo Bottini was in com- 
mand of the ship, but he was killed at the commencement 
of the fight. 

But how is it that one so young came to be second ? 
You must belong to some great family to have been thus 
pushed forward above men so much your senior.” 

It was a wise choice, nevertheless,” the commander of 
one of the galleys which had been engaged with the Pluto 
said, '^for it is but justice to own that no ship was better 
handled or fought in the Venetian fleet. They were en- 
gaged with us first, and for over an hour they fought us 
on fair terms, yielding no foot of ground, although we had 
far more men then they carried. I noticed this youth 
fighting always in the front line with the Venetians, and 
marveled at the strength and dexterity with which he used 


THE LION OF ST. MARK- 


269 


his weapons, and afterward, when there were three of us 
around him, he fought like a boar surrounded by hounds. 
I am sure he is a brave youth, and well worthy the posi- 
tion he held, to whatsoever he owed it.” 

I belong to no noble family of Venice,” Francis said. 
My name is Francis Hammond, and my parents are 
English.” 

You are not a mercenary, I trust ?” the Genoese cap- 
tain asked earnestly. 

I am not,” Francis replied. I am a citizen of 
Venice, and my name is inscribed in her books, as my 
comrades will vouch.” 

Right glad am I that it is so,” the Genoese said, for 
Pietro Doria, who is now, by the death of his brother, in 
chief command, has ordered that every mercenary found 
among the prisoners shall to-day be slain.” 

It is a brutal order,” Francis said fearlessly, whoso- 
ever may have given it ! A mercenary taken in fair fight 
has as much right to be held for ransom or fair exchange 
as any other prisoner ; and if your admiral thus breaks 
the laws of war there is not a free-lance from one end of 
Italy to the other but will take it up as a personal quarrel,” 
The Genoese frowned at the boldness with which Fran- 
cis spoke, but at heart agreed in the sentiments he ex- 
pressed ; for among the Genoese officers generally there 
was a feeling that this brutal execution in cold blood was 
an impolitic as well as a disgraceful deed. 

The officers were now placed in the forehold of the ship, 
the crew being confined in the afterhold. Soon afterward 
they knew by the motion of the vessel that sail had been 
put on her. 

So we are on our way to a Genoese prison, Francisco,” 
Matteo said ; we had a narrow escape of it before, but 
this time I suppose it is our fate.” 

There is certainly no hope of rescue, Matteo ; it is too 
early as yet to say whether there is any hope of escape. 


270 the lion of ST. MARK. 

The prospect looked darker when I was in the hands of 
Ruggiero, but I managed to get away ; then I was alone 
and closely guarded, now we have in the ship well-nigh 
two hundred friends, prisoners like ourselves, it is true, 
hut still to be counted on. Then, too, the Genoese are no 
doubt so elated with their triumph that they are hardly 
likely to keep a very vigilant guard over us. Altogether, 
I should say that the chances are in our favor. Were I 
sure that the Pluto is sailing alone I should be very con- 
fident that we might retake her, but probably the fifteen 
captured ships are sailing in company, and would at once 
come to the aid of their comrades here, directly they saw 
any signs of a conflict going on, and we could hardly hope 
to recapture the ship without making some noise over 
it.^^ 

I should think not,^^ Matteo agreed. 

Then again, Matteo, even if we find it impossible to 
get at the crew, and with them to recapture the ship, some 
chance may occur by which you and I may manage to 
make our escape." 

If you say so, Francisco, I at once believe it. You 
got us all out of the scrape down at Girgenti. You got 
Polani^s daughters out of a worse scrape when they were 
captives on San Nicolo ; and got yourself out of the worst 
scrape of all when you escaped from the grip of Ruggiero 
Mocenigo. Therefore, when you say that there is a fair 
chance of escape out of this business, I look upon it as 
almost as good as done." 

It is a long way from that, Matteo," Francis laughed ; 
still I hope we may manage it somehow. I have the 
greatest horror of a Genoese prison, for it is notorious that 
they treat their prisoners of war shamefully, and I cer- 
tainly do not mean to enter one if there is the slightest 
chance of avoiding it ; but for to-day, Matteo, I shall not 
even begin to think about it. In the first place my head 
aches with the various thumps it has had ; in the second. 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 271 

I feel weak from loss of blood ; and in the thirds my wounds 
smart most amazingly.” 

So do mine,” Matteo agreed ; in addition I am 
hungry, for the bread they gave us this morning was not 
fit for dogs, although I had to eat it, as it was that or 
nothing.” 

And now, Matteo, I shall try to get a few hours^ sleep. 
I did not close my eyes last night from the pain of my 
wounds, but I think I might manage to drop off now.” 

The motion of the vessel aided the effect of the bodily 
weakness that Francis was feeling, and in spite of the pain 
of his wounds he soon went off into a sound sleep. Once 
or twice he woke, but hearing no voices or movement, he 
supposed his companions were all asleep, and again went 
off, until a stream of light coming in from the opening of 
the hatchway thoroughly roused him. Matteo, who was 
lying by his side, also woke and stretched himself, and 
there was a general movement among the ten young men 
who were their comrades in misfortune. 

Here is your breakfast,” a voice from above the hatch- 
way said, and a basket containing bread and a bucket of 
water was lowered by ropes. 

Breakfast ! ” Matteo said ; why, it is not two hours 
since we breakfasted last.” 

1 suspect it is twenty-two, Matteo ; we have had a 
very long sleep, and I feel all the better of it. Now let us 
divide the liberal breakfast our captors have given us ; 
fortunately there is just enough light coming down from 
those scuttles to enable us to do so fairly.” 

There was a general laugh from his comrades at the 
cheerful way in which Francis spoke. Only one of them 
had been an officer on the Pluto ; the rest were, like Mat- 
teo, volunteers of good families. There was a good deal 
of light-hearted jesting over their meal. When it waa 
over Francis said : 

** Now let us hold a council of war.” 


272 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


You are better off than Pisani was anyhow," one of 
the young men said, '^for you are not hampered with 
proveditors, and anything that your captaincy may suggest 
will, you may be sure, receive our assent." 

I am your captain no longer," Francis replied ; we 
are all prisoners now and equal, and each one has a free 
voice and a free vote." 

Then I give my voice and vote at once, Francisco," 
Matteo said, to the proposal that you remain our captain, 
and that we obey you as cheerfully and willingly as we 
should if you were on the poop of the Pluto instead of be- 
ing in the hold. In the first place, at Carious death you 
became our captain by right so long as we remain together ; 
and in the second place you have more experience than all 
of us put together, and a very m 'ch better head than most 
of us, myself included. Th'^refore, comrades, I vote that 
Messer Francisco Hammond be still regarded as our cap- 
tain, and obeyed as such." 

There was a general chorus of assent, for the energy 
which Francis had displayed throughout the trying winter, 
and the manner in which he had led the crew during the 
desperate fighting, had won for him the regard and the 
respect of them all. 

Very well, then," Francis said ; if you wish it so I 
will remain your leader, but we will nevertheless hold our 
council of war. The question which I shall fiist present 
to your consideration is, which is the best way to set about 
retaking the Pluto ? " 

There was a burst of laughter among the young men. 
The matter-of-fact way in which Francis proposed what 
seemed to them an impossibility amused them immensely. 

I am quite in earnest," Francis went on when the 
laughter had subsided; ^^if it is possible to be done I 
mean to retake the Pluto, and I have very little doubt that 
it is possible if we set about it in the right way. In the 
first place, we may take it as absolutely certain that we 


THE LION OF ST, MARK, 


27a 


very considerably outnumber the Genoese on board. They 
must have suffered in the battle almost as much as we did, 
and have had nearly as many killed and wounded. In the. 
second place, if Doria intends to profit by his victory he 
must have retained a fair amount of fighting men on board 
each of his galleys, and, weakened as his force was by the 
losses of the action, he can spare but a comparatively small 
force on board each of the fifteen captured galleys. I should 
think it probable that there are not more than fifty men in 
charge of the Pluto, and we number fully three times that 
force. The mere fact that they let down our food to us 
by ropes instead of bringing it down, showed a conscious- 
ness of weakness. 

** What you say is quite true," Paolo Parucchi, the other 
officer of the Pluto, said ; but they are fifty well-armed 
men, and we are a hundred and fifty without arms and 
shut down in the hold, to which must be added the fact 
that we are cut off from our men, and our men from us. 
They are, as it were, without a head to plan, while we are 
without arms to strike." 

A murmur of approval was heard among some of the 
young men. 

I do not suppose that there are no difficulties in our 
way," Francis said quietly ; or that we have only, next 
time the hatch is opened, to say to those above. Gentlemen 
of Genoa, we are more numerous than you are, and we 
therefore request you to change places with us immediately. 
All I have asserted so far is that we are sufficiently strong 
to retake the ship if we get the opportunity. What we 
have now to settle is how that opportunity is to come 
about. To begin with, has any one a dagger or knife 
which has escaped the eye of our searchers ? " 

No one replied. 

"" I was afraid that nothing had escaped the vigilance of 
those who appropriated our belongings. As, however, we 
have no weapons or tools, the next thing is to see what 

i8 


274 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


there is in the hold which can be turned to account. It 
is fortunate we are on board the Pluto instead of being 
transferred to another ship, as we already know all about 
her. There are some iron bolts driven in along a beam at 
the further end ; they have been used, I suppose, at some 
time or other for hanging the carcasses of animals from. 
Let us see whether there is any chance of getting some of 
them out.^^ 

The iron pegs, however, were so firmly driven into the 
beam that all their efforts failed to move them in the 
slightest. 

We will give that up for the present,” Francis said, 
and look round for something more available.” 

But with the exception of the water-casks, the closest 
search failed to find anything in the hold. 

I do not know whether the iron hoops of a cask would 
be of any use,” Matteo said. 

Certainly they would be of use if we get them off, 
Matteo.” 

There is no difficulty about that,” one of the others 
said, examining the casks closely. This is an empty one, 
and the hoops seem quite loose.” 

In a few minutes four iron hoops were taken off the 
cask. 

After all,” Matteo said, they cannot be of much use ; 
the iron is rust-eaten, and they would break in our hands 
before going into any one.” 

They would certainly be useless as daggers, Matteo, 
but I think that with care they will act as saws. Break 
off a length of about a foot, now straighten it, and tear a 
piece off your doublet and wrap it round and round one 
end, so that you can hold it. Now just try it on the edge 
of a beam.” 

^^It certainly cuts,” Matteo announced after a trial, 
but not very fast.” 

So that it cuts at all we may be very well content,” 


THE LION OF ST, MABK, 


275 


Francis said cheerfully ; we have got a week at least to 
work in, and if the wind is not favorable we may have a 
month. Let us therefore break the hoops up into pieces 
of the right length. We must use them carefully, for we 
may expect to have many breakages.” 

What next, captain ? ” 

** Our object will, of course, be to cut through into the 
main hold, which separates us from the crew. There we 
shall probably find plenty of weapons ; but to use our 
saws we must first find a hole in the bulkhead. First of all 
then, let there be a strict search made for a knot-hole, or 
any other hole through the bulkhead.” 

It was too dark for eyes to he of much use, hut hands 
were run all over the bulkhead, hut no hole however small 
was discovered. 

It is clear then,” Francis said, that the first thing 
to do is to cut out some of those iron bolts. Pick out 
those that are nearest to the lower side of the beam, say 
three of them. There are twelve of us, that will give four 
to each bolt, and we can relieve each other every few 
minutes. Kemember, it is patience that is required and 
not strength.” 

The work was at once begun. The young men had by 
this time fully entered into the spirit of the attempt. 
The quiet and business-like way in which their leader set 
about it convinced them that he at least had a firm belief 
that the work was possible ; and there was a hope, even if 
but a remote one, of avoiding the dreaded dungeons of 
Genoa. 

The work was slow, and two or three of the strips of iron 
were at first broken by the too great eagerness of their hold- 
ers ; but when it was found that by using them lightly the 
edges gradually cut their way into the wood, the work went 
on regularly. The Pluto had been hurriedly constructed, 
and any timbers that were available in the emergency were 
utilized Consequently much soft wood that at other times 


276 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


would never have been found in the state dockyards was 
put into her. The beam at which they were working was 
of soft timber, and a fine dust fell steadily as the rough 
iron was sawed backward and forward upon it. 

Two cuts were made under each bolt, wide at the base 
and converging toward it. The saws were kept going the 
whole day, and although the progress was slow it was fast 
enough to encourage them ; and just as the light that 
came through the scuttle faded away three of the young 
men hung their weight upon one of the bolts, and the 
wood beneath it, already almost severed, gave, and a sup- 
pressed cry of satisfaction announced that one bolt was 
free. 

The pieces of iron were two feet long and were intended 
for some other purpose, but had been driven in when, on 
loading the ship, some strong pegs on which to hang car- 
casses were required. They were driven about three 
inches into the beam, and could have been cut out with an 
ordinary saw in two or three minutes. 

^^Try the others,” Francis said. As many of you get 
hold of them as can put your hands on.” 

The effort was made and the other two bolts were got 
out. They had been roughly sharpened at the end and 
were fully an inch across. 

They do not make bad weapons,” Matteo said. 

^^It is not as weapons that we want them, Matteo. 
They will be more useful to us than any weapons, except, 
indeed, a good ax. We shall want at least three more. 
Therefore I propose that we continue our work at once. 
We will divide into watches now. It will be twelve hours 
before we get our allowance of bread again, therefore that 
will give three hours’ work and nine hours’ sleep to each. 
They will be just setting the first watch on deck, and, as 
we shall hear them changed, it will give us a good idea 
how the time is passing.” 

am ready to work all night myself,” Matteo said. 


THE LION OF ST, MARK, 


277 


At first I had not much faith in what we were doing ; 
out now that we have got three of these irons out, I am 
ready to go on working until I drop/^ 

You will find, Matteo, that your arms will ache so 
that you cannot hold them up before the end of the 
three hours. Sawing like that, with your arms above 
your head, is most fatiguing ; and even the short spells 
of work we have been having made my arms ache. How- 
ever, each must do as much as he can in his three hours ; 
and as we are working in the dark we must work slowly 
and carefully, or we shall break our tools. 

Fortunately we can get more hoops off now if we want 
them,^^ Matteo said ; with these irons we can wrench 
them off the sound casks if necessary. 

^‘^Yes; I did not think of that, Matteo. You see we 
are already getting a stock of tools. Another thing is, 
with the point of the irons we have got off we can wrench 
the wood out as fast as we saw it, and the saws will not 
work so stiffly as they did before. But we must not do 
that till the morning, for any sound like the breaking of 
wood might be heard by the watch when everything is 
quiet. 

Although all worked their best they made but slight 
progress in the dark, and each worker was forced to take 
frequent rests, for the fatigue of working with their arms 
above their heads was excessive. As soon, however, as the 
light began to steal down and the movement above head 
told them that the crew were at work washing the decks, 
the points of the irons were used to wrench away the wood 
between the saw-cuts ; and the work then proceeded 
briskly, as they relieved each other every few minutes. 
At last, to their intense satisfaction, three more irons 
were got out. 

If any one had told me,^^ one of the party said, that 
a man’s arms could hurt as much as mine do from working 
a few hours, I should have disbelieved him.” 


278 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


There was a chorus of assent, for none were accustomed 
to hard manual labor, and the pain in their arms was ex- 
cessive. 

Let us have half an hour’s rest, Francis, before you 
issue your next orders. I shall want that at least before I 
feel that I have any power in my arms.” 

^^We will have an hour’s rest, Matteo, if you like. 
Before that time they will be sending us down our food, 
and after we have breakfast we can set to work again.” 

Breakfast ! ” one of the young men groaned. I can- 
not call that black bread and water breakfast. When I 
think of the breakfasts I have eaten, when I think of the 
dishes I have refused to eat because they were not cooked 
to perfection, I groan over my folly in those days, and 
my enormous stupidity in ever volunteering to come to 
sea.” 

should recommend you all,” Francis said, ^^to spend 
the next hour in rubbing and squeezing the muscles of 
your neighbors’ arms and shoulders. It is the best way for 
taking out stiffness, and Giuseppi used to give me relief 
that way when I was stiff with fencing.” 

The idea was adopted ; and while the rest were at work 
in the manner he suggested, Francis, taking one of the 
irons, went to the bulkhead. One by one he tried the 
planks from the floor boards to the beams above. 

Well, captain, what is your report ?” Matteo asked as 
he joined the rest. 

My report is a most favorable one,” Francis said. 

By great good luck the planks are nailed from the other 
side against the beams both above and below.” 

'^What difference does that make, Francisco ?” 

All the difference in the world. Had they been »ikiled 
on this side, there would have been nothing for it but to 
carry out our original plan — that is, to make holes through 
the planks with these irons large enough for the saws to 
go through, and then to saw the wood out from hole to 


TEE LION OF ST, MAEK, 


279 


hole. As it is^ I believe that with five minutes* work we 
could wrench a plank away. We have only to push the 
points of the irons up between the beams and the planks 
and use them as levers. The nails will be strong indeed 
if those irons, with two of us at each, would not wrench 
them out.” 

The young men all leaped to their feet, pams and aches 
quite forgotten in the excitement of this unexpected news, 
and six of them seized hold of the irons. 

Gently ! ” Francis said. You must remember there 
may be people going down there at present getting up 
stores. Before we venture to disturb a plank we must 
make the hole sufficiently large for us to spy through. 
This will be a very easy affair in comparison with making 
a hole large enough for a saw to go through. Still you 
will find it will take some time. However, we had better 
wait, as we agreed, till we have had our food.” 


280 


THE LION OF ST, MARK, 


CHAPTER XVI. 

THE RECAPTUEE OF THE PLUTO. 

As SOOH as the hatch had been removed and the bread 
and water lowered down and they heard heavy weights 
again laid on the hatch, two of the party took one of the 
irons and began to bore a hole, while the others proceeded 
to eat their food. Several times the workers had to be re- 
lieved. The iron penetrated comparatively easily for a 
short distance, but beyond that the difficulty greatly in- 
creased ; and it was fully four hours before one of the 
workers, applying his eye to the hole, said that he could 
see a gleam of light through. In another quarter of an 
hour the orifice was sufficiently enlarged to enable a view 
to be obtained of the central hold. It was comparatively 
light there, for the hatch was off, and they could see two 
men at work opening a cask for some stores that were re- 
quired. 

^^We must wait till it gets dark now,^^ Francis said. 

I do not think that we shall make much noise, for the 
nails will be likely to draw quietly ; but we had better 
choose the time between nightfall and the hour for the 
crew to turn in, as there will be a trampling of feet on deck 
and talking and singing, which would prevent any slight 
noise we might make being heard.” 

^^The difficulty will be to force the ends of the iron 
down between the beams and the planks, so as to give us a 
purchase,” Matteo said. 

I think we shall be able to manage that,” Francis re- 
plied. The beams are put in in the rough, and if we hunt 
carefully I think we shall find a plank where we can get 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


281 


the irons in far enough between it and the beam to give us 
a hold/^ 

After a careful examination they fixed upon a plank to 
operate upon, and leaving one of the irons there so that 
they could find it in the dark, they lay down to sleep, or 
sat talking until it was dark. Before this, a glance through 
the peephole showed them that the hatch had been placed 
over the hatchway of the next hold, so that there was little 
fear of any one coming down unless something special was 
required. 

‘^Now I think we can begin,” Francis said at last. 
^^Do you, Paolo Parucchi, take one of the irons, I will 
take another, Matteo a third. We cannot possibly work 
more than three at the foot of a plank, though perhaps 
when we have fixed them and put on the strain, two or 
three more hands may get at the irons ; but first we will 
try with three, and unless the nails have got a wonderfully 
firm hold, we shall certainly be able to draw them.” 

It took some time to fix the irons to the best advantage 
between the planks and the beam. 

‘‘ Are you both ready ? ” Francis asked at last ; then 
pull.” 

As Francis had anticipated, the levers did their work, 
and the nails yielded a little. 

^^It has sprung half an inch,” Francis said, feeling. 

Now you keep your irons as they are, while I thrust 
mine down further. I have got a fresh hold ; do you shift 
yours.” 

Again the effort was made, and this time the nails drew 
fully two inches. Another effort, and the plank was com- 
pletely free at the lower end. 

^‘Now do you push against it as hard as you can,” 
Francis said, while I get my iron in between it and the 
beam above.” 

The upper nails yielded even more easily than those 
below. 


282 


TBE LION OF 8T. MARK. 


further/^ Francis said when they had fairly started 
them, ^'or the plank will be falling with a crash. We 
must push from the bottom now until it gives sufficiently 
far for you to get an iron down each side, to prevent its 
closing again. 

Now,^^ he said, push the irons higher up ; that is 
right. Now I will loosen a bit further at the top, and 
then you will be able to get your hands in at the bottom to 
steady it and prevent its falling when the nails are quite 
drawn. 

Another effort and the plank was free, and, being drawn 
in, was laid down. The delight of those who were stand- 
ing in the dark, and could only judge how matters were 
going on from Francis^ low-spoken orders, was extreme. 

** Can we get through 

No,” Francis replied ; it will be necessary to remove 
another plank first, hut perhaps one of the slighter am( ng 
you might manage to squeeze through and hold the plank 
at the hack ; we shall be able to work with more freedom 
if we know that there is no danger of its falling.” 

In a few minutes the second plank was laid beside the 
first. 

What is to be done next ?” Matteo asked. 

We must establish a communication with the sailors. 
I will take a working party of four ; Paolo Parucchi with 
four others will relieve me ; you, Matteo, will with the rest 
take the last spell. When we have entered the next com- 
partment we will put up the planks again and press the 
nails in tightly enough to prevent their falling. Should, 
by some chance, any one descend into the hold while we 
are working, we shall he hidden from their view ; at the 
other end there are a number of sacks piled up, and we 
shall he working behind them.” 

Francis and the men he had chosen made their way to 
the pile of arms they had observed through their peep- 
hole, moving with great precaution so as to avoid falling 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


283 


over anything. Here with some trouble they succeeded in 
finding a dagger among the heap, and they then felt their 
way on until they reached the pile of sacks ; these were 
packed to within a foot of the deck-beams, and there was 
but just room for them to crawl in at the top. 

‘‘ Whatever you do, do not bump against the beams,^' 
Francis said. Any noise of that sort from below would 
at once excite attention. Now do you be quiet while I 
find a spot to begin upon.^' 

Commencing at a junction of two planks, Francis began 
with the dagger to cut a hole of some three or four inches 
across, but tapering rapidly as it went in. After waiting 
for some ten minutes he touched the man lying next 
to him, placed his hand on the hole he had begun, and 
then moved aside to allow him to continue the work. In 
an hour a hole was made in a two-inch plank, and this was 
soon enlarged until it was an inch in diameter. Lying 
along the side of the bulkhead so as to get his ear to the 
hole, Francis listened, but could hear no sound within ; 
then he put his mouth to the orifice and asked : 

Are you all asleep there ?** Then he listened again. 
Some of the men were speaking, and asking each other 
who it was that had suddenly spoken. 

No one replied ; and some of them gave vent to angry 
threats against whoever it might be who had just dis- 
turbed them from going off to sleep. Directly the voices 
ceased again, Francis said : 

Let us have silence in there. Where is Rinaldo, the 
boatswain ? ” 

I am here,” a voice replied ; '^but who is speaking ? 
It sounds like the voice of Messer Hammond.” 

^"It is my voice, Rinaldo. We have worked through 
from the hold at the other end of the ship, having removed 
some of the planks of the bulkhead ; now it is for you to 
do the same. We will pass you some daggers through 
when we have made this hole a bit larger. You must 


284 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


choose one of the planks in the corner, as this will be less 
likely to be observed/^ 

They will not observe us, Messer Hammond ; they 
never come down here at all, but pass our food down in 
buckets/^ 

^^Nevertheless, begin at the plank next to the side,^^ 
Francis said ; possibly some one may come down before 
you have finished. You will have to remove two planks 
to get through. I will pass a javelin through ; you can 
set to work with it and bore holes through the plank close 
to the fioor, and then with the dagger cut away the wood 
between them. When you have done them set to at the 
top, close to the beams, and cut the two planks through 
there. There are sacks of grain piled up against them on 
this side, so that there is no fear of your being observed 
from here. The work must be carried on perfectly noise- 
lessly, the men relieving each other every few minutes. 

When the planks are cut through replace them in 
their former positions and wedge some small pieces of 
wood in, so that there shall be no chance of their falling. 
You ought to finish the work by to-morrow. When you 
have done it take no further step until you get orders 
from me. It would not do to rise now, for we may be sur- 
rounded by other ships, and if we overpowered the crew 
we should at once be attacked and recaptured by them. 
You will therefore remain quiet until you have orders, 
whether it be one day or ten. All the arms they have 
taken from us are lying piled here, and when the time 
comes we shall have no difficulty in overpowering the 
Genoese, and shall, I hope, bring the Pluto safely to anchor 
in the port of Venice before long.^^ 

There was a murmur of delight among the sailors, pent 
up in their close quarters. Francis listened a moment, 
and heard one of the men say : 

What did I tell you ? DidnT I tell you that Messer 
Hammond got us all out of a scrape before, when our ship 


THE LION OF ST. MABK. 


285 


was captured by the Genoese, and that I would be bound 
he would do the same again if he had but the shadow of a 
chance/’ 

** You did, Pietro, and you have turned out right ; that 
is the sort of a fellow to have for a captain. He is not 
like one of those dainty young nobles who don’t know one 
rope’s end from another, and who turn up their noses at 
the thought of dirtying their hands. See how he looked 
after us through the winter. I wish we could give a cheer 
for him, but that would never do ; but when we are out of 
this I will give him the loudest shout I ever gave yet* 
Now then, Rinaldo, let us set to work without a moment’s 
delay. There’s a chance we aren’t going to rot in the 
dungeons of Genoa after all.” 

Convinced that the work would be carried on in accord- 
ance with his orders, Francis withdrew his ear from the 
hole, and, crawling over the sacks again, made his way to 
the pile of arms, felt about until he found two javelins, 
and taking these back passed them one after the other 
through the hole. 

We have done our share now,” he said to his comrades* 
** Paolo and his party will find it a comparatively easy 
task to enlarge the hole sufficiently to pass the daggers 
through.” 

The party returned to the other end of the hold, removed 
the planks, and joined their friends. The next watch had 
arranged to lie down close to the planks, so that they could 
be aroused without waking the others. 

They were soon on their feet. Francis explained to 
Parucchi the progress they had made and the orders that 
had been given to the sailors as to what they were to do. 

When the hole is large enough pass these five daggers in 
to the crew, and then come back again. I will guide 
you to the spot, and on my return will pick out half 
a dozen more daggers in case we want them for further 
work.” 


286 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


When daylight made its way into the hold Matteo and 
his watch woke, and were astonished to find that all their 
comrades were quietly asleep, and that they had not been 
awakened. Matteo could not restrain his curiosity, but 
woke Francis. 

Has anything gone wrong, Francis ? It is daylight, 
and Parucchi's party as well as yours are all asleep, while 
we have not been roused ! 

Everything is going on well, Matteo, and we did not 
wake you because there was nothing for you to do. We 
have already passed in knives and javelins to the sailors, 
and they are at work cutting through two planks in their 
bulkhead ; after which we shall be able to meet in the next 
hold, arm ourselves, and fall upon the Genoese when the 
opportunity offers. 

That is excellent indeed, Francis ; but I wish you 
had let us do our share of the work.^^ 

It did not take us more than two hours, Matteo, to 
make a hole big enough to pass the javelins through, and 
I should say Parucchi’s party enlarged it sufficiently to hand 
in the daggers in another hour ; so you see it would have 
been useless to' have aroused you, and the less movement 
we make after they get quiet at night the better.^' 

And how long will the sailors be cutting it through, 
d.0 you think ? ” 

I should say they would be ready by this time, Matteo, 
but certainly they will be finished some time to-day.” 

Then we shall soon be free ! ” Matteo exclaimed joy- 
fully. 

That will depend, Matteo. We must wait till there ia 
a good opportunity, so that we can recapture the ship 
without an alarm being given to the other vessels, which 
are no doubt sailing in company with us. And now, if 
you have nothing to say, I will go off to sleep again, for 
there is time for another hour or two. I feel as if I had 
not quite finished my night’s rest, and the days pass so 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


287 


slowly here that it is as well for ns to sleep when we feel 
the least inclination. 

"'By the way, Matteo, put something into that peep- 
hole we made. It is possible that they might see the light 
through it, and come to examine what it is ; it is better to 
run no risk.” 

That day the captives were far more restless than they 
had been since they were taken prisoners. At first there 
had been a feeling of depression, too great to admit even 
of conversation with each other. The defeat of their fleet, 
the danger that threatened Venice, and the prospect of 
imprisonment in the gloomy dungeons of Genoa, combined 
to depress them on the first day of their imprisonment. On 
the second their success in getting out the bolts had 
cheered them, and they had something to look forward to 
and talk about ; but still, few of them thought that there 
was any real prospect of their obtaining their freedom. 
Now, however, that success seemed to lie ready to hand, now 
that they could that very evening remove the sacks, effect 
a junction with their crew, arm themselves with the weap^ 
ons lying in sight, and rush up and overpower the 
Genoese, it seemed hard to remain longer in confinement. 

Several of them urged Francis to make the attempt that 
night, but he refused. 

"You reckon only on the foe you see,” he said ; "the 
danger lies not from them, but from the foes we cannot 
see. We must wait for an opportunity.” 

" But uo opportunity may occur,” one of them urged. 

" That is quite possible,” Francis agreed ; " but should 
no special opportunity occur, we shall be none the worse 
for having waited, for it will always be as open to us to 
make the attempt as it is to-night. It might succeed — 
possibly we could overpower the guard on deck before 
they could give the alarm — but the risk is too great to be 
run until we are certain that no other way is open to us. 
In the daylight the hatch is open ; but even could we free 


288 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


our comrades and unite for a rush unobserved — which we 
could hardly hope to do — we should find the whole of the 
Genoese on deck, and could not possibly overpower then? 
before they had time to give the alarm to other vessels. 
At night, when we can unite, we cannot gain the deck, 
for the hatch is not only closed, but would almost certainly 
be fastened, so that men should not get down to pilfer 
among the stores. 

But if we cannot attack in the daytime, Messer Ham- 
mond, without giving the alarm, and cannot attack at all 
at night, what are we to do ? 

That is the next point to be seen to,” Francis replied. 

We must cut, either from this hold or from the other, 
a way up to the deck above. It may take us some days to 
do this, but that matters little, we have plenty of time for 
the work before reaching Genoa. The difficulty is not in 
the work itself, but in doing it unobserved.” 

^^That is difficult indeed,” Matteo said, seeing that 
the Genoese sailors are quartered in the forecastle above the 
forehold, while the officers will be in the cabins in the 
poop over us.” 

That is so, Matteo, and for that reason it is clear that 
it is we, not the sailors, who must cut through the planks 
above. There are no divisions in the forecastle, and it 
Avill be therefore absolutely impossible to cut through into 
it without being perceived long before a hole is made of a 
sufficient size to enable us to get out. Here we may suc- 
ceed better, for fortunately we know the exact plan of the 
cabins above us, and can choose a spot where we should not 
be likely to be noticed.” 

"" That is so,” Matteo agreed, ""and as they will not have 
as many officers as we had — that is, including the vol- 
unteers — some of the cabins will not be occupied. Perhaps 
by listening to the footsteps above we might find out whicn 
are vacant.” 

""I thought of that, Matteo, but I doubt whether it 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


289 


would be well to rely upon that. Many on board ship 
wear soft shoes which make but little noise and it would 
be fatal to us were we to make a mistake. After thinking 
i t over I have decided that we had best try to cut a way up 
into the cap taints cabin. 

But that is sure to be occupied, Messer Hammond/^ 
Parucchi said. 

Yes, it will certainly be occupied ; but it affords a 
good opportunity of success. As you know, Parucchi, 
Carlo Bottini had been a long time at Constantinople and 
the Eastern ports, and had a somewhat luxurious taste. 
Do you not remember that against the stern windows he 
had caused to be erected a low wide seat running across 
the cabin ; this he called a divan, and spent no small pro- 
portion of his time lolling upon it. If I am right, its 
!h eight was from ten inches to a foot above the deck, and 
lit was fully four feet wide. It would therefore be quite 
possible to cut through the two planks at the back without 
its being observed by any one in the cabin. 

There was a chorus of assent. 

‘^^Of course we must work most cautiously,’^ Francis 
went on. The wood must be cut out with clean cuts 
with the daggers, there must be no sawing or scraping ; 
the beams are two feet apart, and we must cut through 
two planks close to them. In that way there will be no 
nails to remove. Of course we shall not cut quite through 
until the time arrives for us to make the attempt, but just 
leave enough to hold the planks together ; half an hour’s 
work will get through that ; for if we were to cut through 
it at once, not only would there be risk of the hole being 
discovered by any one sweeping the cabin, but we should 
be obliged to remain absolutely silent^ or we should be 
heard immediately.” 

^^We can begin at once, can we not?” Matteo asked. 

Anything is better than sitting quietly here.” 

Certainly, Matteo, if you wish. Two can work at 

19 


290 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


once, one on each line. Choose the two sharpest-edged of 
the daggers, and be sure to cut clean and not to make a 
scraping noise or to try to break out pieces of wood. The 
work must be done in absolute quiet ; indeed, however 
careful you are it is possible that some slight sound may- 
be heard above, but, if noticed, it will probably be taken 
for the rats.^^ 

Matteo and another of the young men at once fell to 
work ; but it was not until the evening of the following 
day that v.uts were made as deep as was considered pru- 
dent. The depth of wood remaining was tested by thrust- 
ing the point of a agger through, and it was decided that 
litfle more than a quarter of an inch remained. 

Upon the following day the ship anchored and remained 
for two days in some port ; provisions were brought on 
board and carried down into the hold, and the prisonen 
had no doubt that they were in harbor on the coast of 
either Sicily or the south of Italy. They had not set sail 
many hours when the motion of the sl^ip told them that 
the wind was getting up, and by night the vessel was roll- 
ing heavily, the noise made by the dashing of the water 
against her planks being so great that those below could 
scarcely hear each other speak. Their spirits had risen 
with the increase of the motion, for the opportunity for 
which they had been waiting was now at hand ; in a ga* , 
the vessels would keep well apart from each other to 
prevent the danger of a collision, and any outcry would 
be drowned by the noise of the wind and water. 

Each night Francis had paid a visit to the sailors for- 
ward, to enjoin patience until he should give them the 
order for making the attempt. They had long since cut 
through the planks, which were only retained in their 
place by the pressure of the sacks behind them. He had 
bade them be in readiness on the first occasion on which 
rough weather might set in, and knew that they would now 
be expecting the signal. 


THE LION OF ST. MABN. 


291 


As soon then as it became dark, and the hatch over the 
middle hold was closed, the planks were removed, and 
Francis and his party set to work shifting the sacks in the 
corner where the sailors had cut the planks. Each sack 
was taken up and placed against the pile further on with- 
out the slightest noise, until at last all were removed that 
stood in the way of the planks being taken down. These 
were carried out into the hold. Francis entered the gap. 
The sailors had already been informed that the occasion 
had come, and that they were to remain perfectly quiet 
until bidden to move. 

^'All is prepared," he said as he entered. Rinaldo, 
do you see that the men come out one by one. As each 
comes out a weapon will he placed in his hands, and he 
will be then led to the starboard side of the hold, which is 
free from encumbrance, and will there stand until he re- 
ceives orders to move further. Remember that not the 
slightest noise must he made, for if any stumbled and fell 
and the noise were heard above, it might be thought +hat 
some of the stores had shifted from their places, and men 
would be sent below to secure them ; the alarm would be 
given, and a light or other signal shown the other ships 
before we could overpower all resistance. After the men 
are all ranged up as I have directed, they will have to re- 
main there for some little time while we complete our ar- 
rangements." 

As soon as the sailors were all armed and ready for action 
Francis entered the afterhold, where Matteo and another 
had been engaged in cutting the planks quite through. 
They had just completed the task when he reached them, 
and had quietly removed the two pieces of plank. Francis 
had already given his orders to his companions, and each 
knew the order in which they were to ascend. A dim light 
streamed down from the hole. Two of his comrades lifted 
Francis so that his head was above the level of the hole, 
and he was enabled to see into the cabin. So far as he 


292 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


could tell it was untenanted, but it was possible that the 
commander might be on the divan above him. This wa,s 
not, however, likely, as in the gale that was now blowing he 
would probably be on deck directing the working of the ship. 

Francis now gave the signal, and the others raised him 
still further, until he was able to get his weight upon the 
deck above, and he then crawled along underijeath the 
divan, and lay there quiet until Parucchi and Matteo had 
both reached the deck ; then he gave the word and all 
three rolled out and leaped to their feet, with their daggers 
in their hands in readiness to fall upon the captain should 
he be on the divan. As they had hoped and expected, the 
cabin was untenanted. The other volunteers now joined 
them, the last giving the word to Kinaldo, who soon passed 
up followed by the crew, until the cabin was as full as it 
could contain. There were now assembled some fifty men 
closely packed together. 

‘^That is ample," Francis said, ^^as they will be un- 
armed and unprepared. We can issue out singly until the 
alarm is given, and then those that remain must rush out 
in a body. Simply knock them down with the hilts o:t 
your swords. There is no occasion to shed blood unless in 
the case of armed resistance ; but remember they will hav(J 
their knives in their girdles, and do not let any one take 
you by surprise." 

Opening the door Francis walked along a passage, and 
then through an outer door into the waist of the ship. 
The wind was blowing fiercely, but the gale was not so 
violent as it had appeared to them when confined below. 
The night was dark, but after a week^s confinement below 
his eyes were able easily to make out almost every object 
on deck. There were but few sailors in the waist ; the 
oflacers would be on the poop, and such of the crew as were 
not required on duty in the forecastle. Man after man 
joined him until some thirty were gathered near the bul- 
warks. An officer on the poop caught sight of them by 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


293 


the light of the lantern which was suspended there as a 
signal to the other vessels. 

What are all you men doing down there ? he chal- 
lenged. There is no occasion for you to keep on deck 
until you are summoned. 

Do you move forward with the men here, Parruchi ; 
knock down the fellows on deck, and rush into the fore- 
castle and overpower them there before they can get up 
their arms. I will summon the rest in a body and we will 
overpower the officers.’^ 

He ran back to the cabin door and bade the men follow 
him. As they poured out there was a scuffle on the deck 
forward, and the officer shouted out again : 

What is going on there ? What does all this mean ? ” 

Francis sprang up the ladder to the poop, followed by 
his men, and before the officer standing there understood 
the meaning of this sudden rush of men, or had time to 
draw his sword, he was knocked down. The captain and 
three other officers who were standing by the helm drew 
their swords and rushed forward, thinking there was a 
mutiny among their crew ; but Francis shouted out : 

Throw down your weapons all of you. We have re- 
taken the ship, and resistance is useless and will only cost 
you your lives." 

The officers stood stupefied with astonishment, and then 
seeing that fully twenty armed men were opposed to them, 
they threw down their swords. Francis ordered four of 
the sailors to conduct them to the captain’s cabin, and re- 
main in guard over them ; then with the rest he hurried 
forward to assist Parucchi^s party. But the work was al- 
ready done ; the Genoese, taken completely by surprise, 
had at once surrendered as the armed party rushed in the 
forecastle, and the ship was already theirs. As soon as the 
prisoners were secured, the after-hatch was thrown off, and 
those whose turn to crawl up through the hole had not yet 
arrived came up on deck. 


294 


TEE LION OF ST. MARK. 


** Einaldo/^ Francis said, as soon as the crew had fallen 
into their places, ^^send a man aloft and let him suddenly 
knock out the light in the lantern.” 

But we can lower it down, captain, from the deck.” 

Of course we can, Rinaldo, but I don^t want it lowered 
down, I want it put suddenly out.” 

Kinaldo at once sent a man up, and a minute later the 
light suddenly disappeared. 

If we were seen to lower it down,” Francis said to Mat- 
teo, the suspicions of those who noticed it would be at 
once aroused, for the only motive for doing so would be 
concealment, whereas now if it is missed it will be supposed 
that the wind has blown it out. Now we have only to lower 
our sails and we can drop unobserved out of the fleet.” 

There are sixteen lights, I have just been counting 
them,” Matteo said. 

These are probably the fourteen galleys captured with 
us, and two galleys as guards in case on their way they 
should fall in with any of our ships. Parucchi, will you 
at once muster the men, and see that all are armed and in 
readiness for fighting. Matteo, do you and some of your 
friends assist the lieutenant.” 

In a few minutes Parucchi reported that the men were 
all ready for action. 

Kinaldo, brail up the sails so that we may drop into 
the rear of the squadron ; watch the lights of the vessels 
behind, and steer so that they shall pass us as widely as 
possible.” 

This was the order the men were expecting to receive, 
but they were surprised when, just as the last light was 
abreast of them, Francis gave the order for the brails to be 
loosed again. 

Signor Parucchi, do you tell off fifty men. I am go- 
ing to lay the ship alongside that vessel and recapture her ; 
they will not see us until we are close on board, and will 
suppose it is an accident when we run alongside. No 


THE LION OF ST. MABE. 


295 


doubt they, like the Pluto, have only a complement of fifty 
men, and we shall overpower them before they are pre- 
pared to offer any resistance. No doubt they have pris- 
oners below. Immediately we have recaptured her I shall 
return on board with the rest, leaving you with your fifty 
men in charge of her. As soon as you have secured the 
Genoese, free any prisoners there may be in the hold. I 
shall keep close to you, and you can hear me, and tell me 
how many there are.” 

The Pluto was now edged away till she was close to the 
other ship. The crew, exulting in having turned the 
tables on the Genoese and at the prospect of recovering 
another of the lost galleys, clustered in the waist grasping 
their arms. The ship was not perceived until she was 
within her own length of the other, then there was a sud- 
den hail : 

Where are you coming to ? Keep away, or you will 
be into us. Why donT you show your light ? ” 

Francis shouted back some indistinct answer. Rinaldo 
pushed down the helm, and a minute later the Pluto ran 
alongside the other vessel. Half a dozen hands told off for 
the work sprang into her rigging, and lashed the vessels 
together, while Francis, followed by the crew, climbed the 
bulwarks and sprang on to the deck of the enemy. 

Scarce a blow was struck. The Genoese, astonished at 
this sudden apparition of armed men on her deck, and 
being entirely unarmed and unprepared, either ran down 
below or shouted they surrendered, and in two minutes the 
Venetians were masters of the vessel. 

Back to the Pluto,” Francis shouted ; the vessels 
will tear their sides out ! ” 

Almost as suddenly as they had invaded the decks of the 
galley the Venetians regained their own vessel, leaving the 
lieutenant with his fifty men on board the prize. The 
lashings were cut, the Pluto's helm put up, and she sheered 
away from her prize. Her bulwarks were broken and 


296 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


splintered where she had ground against the other vessel 
in the sea, and Einaldo soon reported that some of the 
seams had opened and the water was coming in. 

Set the carpenter and some of the hands to work to 
calk the seams as well as they can from the inside, and set 
a gang to work at the pumps at once. It is unfortunate 
that it is blowing so hard. If the wind had gone down 
instead of rising, we would have recaptured the whole fleet 
one by one.” 

The Pluto was kept within a short distance of the cap- 
tured vessel, and Parucchi presently shouted out that he 
had freed two hundred prisoners. 

Arm them at once ! ” Francis shouted back. Ex- 
tinguish your light and board the vessel whose light you 
see on your starboard bow ; I will take the one to port. 
When you have captured her, lower the sails of both ves- 
sels ; I will do the same. You will keep a little head sail 
set, so as to keep them before the wind ; but do not show 
more than you can help. I wish the rest of the fleet to 
outrun us as soon as possible.” 

The Pluto sheered off from the prize and directed her 
course toward the vessel nearest to her, which she captured 
as easily as she had done the preceding ; but this time 
not only were her bulwarks stove in, but the chain-plates 
were carried away ; and the mainmast, no longer supported 
by its shrouds, fell over the side with a crash. 

This vessel had but a hundred prisoners on board. They 
were wild with astonishment and delight when they found 
that their vessel had been recaptured. Francis told them 
to keep by him through the night as possibly he might 
need their assistance. 

For some hours the gale increased ; the Pluto lay head 
to it, her mast serving as a floating anchor. As soon as the 
lights of the Genoese squadron disappeared in the distance 
Francis hoisted a lantern as a signal to the other vessels to 
keep near him. 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


29T 


As soon as day broke, the galley they had last recapturec 
was seen half a mile away, while the two others could be 
made out some six miles to leeward. The gale died out 
soon after daybreak, and Francis at once set his crew to 
work to get the mast on board, and to ship it by its stump. 

It was a difficult undertaking, for the vessel was rolling 
heavily. It was first got alongside, two ropes were passed 
over it, and it was parbuckled on board. Shears were 
made of two spars, and the end was placed against the 
stump, which projected six feet above the deck. By the aid 
of the shears it was hoisted erect and lashed to the stump, 
wedges were driven in to tighten the lashings, and it was 
then firmly stayed ; and by the afternoon it was in readi- 
ness for sail to be hoisted again. 

By this time Parucchi, with the vessel he had captured, 
was alongside. The Lion of St. Mark was hoisted to the 
mainmast of the Pluto, and three similar banners were run 
up by the other vessels, the crews shouting and cheering 
with wild enthusiasm. 


298 


THE LION OF ST, MARK. 


CHAPTER XVIL 

AN UNGRATEFUi. REPUBLIC. 

** It is glorious, Francis, Matteo said, to think that 
we should have recaptured four of our ships ! ” 

** It is very good as far as it goes," Francis replied, but 
it might have been a great deal better. If it hadnT been 
for the storm we might have picked them all up one by one. 
Each vessel we took, the stronger we became, and I had 
calculated upon our capturing the greater number ; but 
in such a sea I donT think we could possibly have captured 
more than we did." 

should think not," Matteo said. ^^I had never 
dreamed of doing more than recovering the Pluto, and 
when you first talked about that it seemed almost like mad- 
ness. I don^t think one of us had the slightest belief in 
the possibility of the thing when you first proposed it." 

I thought it was to be managed somehow," Francis 
said. ‘^It would have been a shame indeed if a hundred 
and fifty men were to be kept prisoners for a fortnight or 
three weeks by a third of their number." 

Well, certainly no one would have thought of making 
the attempt if you had not proposed it, Francis. I believe 
even if you were to propose our sailing north and captur- 
ing Genoa, there is not a man on board but would follow 
you willingly, with the firm conviction that you would suc- 
ceed." 

^^In that case, Matteo," Francis said, laughing, ^"it is 
very lucky for you that I am not at all out of my mind. 
Signal how to Parucchi to lower his boats and come on 
board with our men. We may fall in yet with another 


TEE LION OF ST. MARK. 


299 


Genoese squadron, and may as well have our full com- 
plement on board, especially as Parucchi has found two hun- 
dred men already on board the vessel we captured.” 

Parucchi and his men soon transferred themselves to the 
Pluto, and the four vessels hoisted their sails and made for 
the south. They had learned from their captives that the 
squadron had already passed through the Straits of Mes- 
sina, and that it was at Messina they had stopped and 
taken in provision two days before. Indeed, when, late in 
the afternoon, the sky cleared and the sun shone out, they 
saw the mountains of Calabria on their left. Learning 
from the captives that no Genoese vessels had been seen in 
the straits as they passed through, Francis did not hesi- 
tate to order the course to be shaped for the straits instead 
of sailing round Sicily, as he would have done had there 
been any chance of falling in with a hostile squadron in 
passing between the islands and the mainland. 

I should like to have seen the face of the commander 
of the Genoese squadron this morning,” Matteo said, 
when he discovered that four of his vessels were missing. 
He can hardly have supposed that they were lost, for al- 
though the wind was strong it blew nearly dead aft, and 
there was nothing of a gale to endanger well-handled ships. 
I almost wonder that he did not send back the two fully 
manned galleys he had with him to search for us.” 

Perhaps he did,” Francis said ; but he would have 
been a hundred miles further north by daybreak, and it 
would have taken him a couple of days to get back to 
where we were lying.” 

No hostile sail was seen during the voyage back to Ve- 
nice. Francis remained in command of the little squadron, 
for the captains and many of the superior officers had been 
transferred to the galley of the officer in command of the 
squadron, and Francis happened to be the only second offi- 
cer on board any of the four ships. 

Great care was observed when they approached Venice^ 


300 


TEE LION OF ST, MARK. 


as, for aught they knew, Dorians squadron might be block- 
ading the port. The Genoese fleet, however, was still 
cruising on the coast of Dalmatia, capturing port after 
port of the Venetian possessions there. The four vessels 
passed through the channel of the Lido with their colors 
flying. 

When first observed from the watch-tower of Venice 
they were supposed to form part of the squadron of Zeno, 
but as soon as they cast anchor, and the news spread 
that they were four of Pisani^s galleys which had been 
recaptured from the Genoese the delight of the population 
was immense. The ships were speedily surrounded by a 
fleet of boats, containing relatives and friends of those 
taken prisoners at the battle of Polo, and the decks were 
crowded with persons inquiring after their friends, or em- 
bracing with delight those whom they had an hour before 
believed to be either dead or immured in the dungeons 
of Genoa. 

One of the first to appear was Polani, who had early 
received the news by a swift boat from one of his ships in 
the port that the Pluto was one of the vessels entering the 
harbor. 

What miracle is this, Prancis ?” he asked, as he warmly 
embraced his young friend. 

'‘Not a miracle at all, Messer Polani. The Genoese 
fancied that a guard of fifty men was amply sufiicient to 
keep a hundred and fifty Venetians captives, and we taught 
them their mistake. 

"It wasnH we,^^ Matteo put in, as he shook hands with 
his kinsman. "We had no more idea of escaping than we 
had of flying ; the whole thing was entirely the work of 
Francisco here.^^ 

"I might have been sure the Genoese would not keep 
you long, Francisco, Polani said ; " and the girls and I 
might have spared ourselves the pain of fretting for you. 
But how did it all come about ? " 


THE LION OF ST. MARE. 


301 


** If you will take me to the Piazza in your gondola I 
will tell you all about it on the way/^ Francis replied ; 
** for, absurd as it seems, I am the senior officer of the 
squadron, and must, I suppose, report to the council what 
has happened/^ 

Take me too, kinsman,^^ Matteo said ; I know Fran- 
cisco so well that I am quite sure that of himself he will 
never tell the facts of this affair, and will simply say that 
we broke out, avoiding all mention of his share in it, and 
how it was that under his orders we recaptured the other 
ships.” 

I think that a very good plan, Matteo ; so do you come 
with us, and you shall tell me all about it instead of my 
hearing it from Francis, and I will take care the council 
know the truth of the matter.” 

The admiral got safely hack, I hope ? ” Francis asked. 

We saw that his galley, with five others, broke through 
the Genoese fieet and got safely away, but of course we 
knew not whether the brave admiral was himself hurt.” 

He arrived here safely,” Polani replied ; but know- 
ing the Venetians as you do you will be scarcely surprised 
to hear that he has been sentenced to six months^ impris- 
onment for losing the battle.” 

But that is shameful,” Francis exclaimed indignantly. 

I heard from our captain, who was present at the coun- 
cil, that Pisani was opposed to fighting, and that he was 
only overruled by the proveditors. It is shameful. I will 
go on shore and make my report, and then I will come 
back to you, for I swear that not another blow will I 
strike on behalf of the republic as long as Pisani is in 
prison.” 

It is a bad business, my lad,” Polani said ; but you 
know that Pisani, popular as he is with the people, has 
few friends among the nobles. They are jealous of his 
fame and popularity, and, to say the truth, he has often 
irritated them by his bluntness and his disregard for their 


302 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


opinion and rank, consequently they seized upon his de- 
feat as an occasion for accusing him, and it was even a 
question in the council of taking his life, and he may be 
considered fortunate in getting otf with the sentence of 
six months^ imprisonment. I do not think he will have to 
remain very long in confinement. We may expect the 
Genoese fieet here in a few days, for the Paduan army is 
already moving, as we heard last night ; no doubt it is 
going to co-operate with the fleet. Once the danger 
presses, the populace will demand Pisani^s release. There 
have already been demonstrations, and shouts of 'Viva 
Pisani ! ^ have been raised in the Piazza. At any rate, 
Francis, let me advise you most strongly not to suffer any 
expression of your feelings concerning him to escape you 
before the council. I need scarcely say it would do no 
good to the admiral, and would set the whole of his en- 
emies against you. It is no affair of yours if the gov- 
ernors of Venice behave ungratefully to one who deserves 
well at their hands, and you have made more than enough 
enemies by mingling in my affairs without drawing upon 
yourself more foes by your championship of Pisani.” 

" I will, of course, follow your counsel^” Francis said ; 
" but I will certainly serve the state no more until Pisani 
is freed.” 

Several of the councilors were already assembled on 
hearing the strange news that four of the ships which had 
been captured by the Genoese had entered port. Francis, 
on announcing his errand, was at once shown in to them. 
Polani accompanied him, explaining his presence to the 
council by saying : 

"I have ventured, signors, to accompany my young 
friend here in order that I may give you a much further 
detail of the affair in which he has been engaged than you 
are likely to hear from his own lips. I have just come on 
shore from his ship, the Pluto, and have heard the story 
from my kinsman, Matteo Giustiniani.” 



Signor Polani accompahibs Francis to the steps.— P age 303. 

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THE LION OF ST. MARK. 303 

have surely seen this young gentleman before, 
Messer Polani ? one of the council said. 

'‘You have, signor,^^ Polani replied. “You may re- 
member that he greatly distinguished himself at the fight 
of Antium, was sent home by the admiral with his dis- 
patches, and had the honor of receiving from you the 
thanks of the republic and the gift of citizenship.^' 

“ I remember now," the councilor said; and a murmur 
of assent from the others showed that they also recalled the 
circumstance. “ Is he again the bearer of dispatches from 
the officer in command of the little squadron which, as it 
seems, has just, by some miracle, entered the port ; and 
how is it that the officer did not present himself in person 
before us ? " 

“ The officer has presented himself," Polani said. 
“ Messer Hammond is in command of the four ships which 
have just arrived. Not only is he in command by virtue 
of senior rank, but it is to him that their recapture from 
the Genoese is entirely due." 

There was a murmur of incredulity from the circle of 
councilors, but Polani went on quietly. 

“ It may seem well-nigh impossible to you, signors, but 
what I say is strictly true. If Messer Hammond will first 
relate to you the broad facts of the recapture of the ships I 
will furnish you with such details as he may omit." 

Francis then briefiy related the events which had led to 
the capture of the four galleys. He explained that by the 
death of the captain he, as second officer, succeeded to the 
command of the Pluto, and that afterward being captured 
by the Genoese, Signor Parucchi, the sole other surviving 
officer, and ten gentlemen belonging to noble families and 
serving as volunteers on board the Pluto, were confined in 
one hold of that ship on her voyage as a prize to Genoa, 
the crew being shut up in the other ; that by working at 
night they had effected a junction with the crew, and 
choosing a stormy night when any noise that might be 


304 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


made would not be heard on board the ship, they make 
their way up to the deck above through a hole they had cut 
in the planks, and overpowered the Genoese almost with- 
out resistance ; that they had then in the darkness run 
alongside another of the ships and captured her with equal 
ease, and Parucchi, with a portion of the crew of the Pluto 
and the Venetian prisoners on board that ship had retaken 
a third, while the Pluto had captured a fourth. 

^^It may seem to you, signors,” Francis concluded, 

that we might in the same way have recaptured the rest 
of our ships, and it was a bitter disappointment to me that 
we failed to do so ; but the storm was so high and the sea 
so rough that it was only with the greatest danger and 
difficulty that ships could lie alongside each other. The 
bulwarks of all four vessels were greatly damaged, and the 
Pluto lost her mainmast while alongside the last ship we 
captured, and as the storm was increasing rather than abat- 
ing, we were, to our great chagrin, obliged to let the rest 
escape, since in striving for more we might have lost not 
only our lives but the vessel we had taken.” 

^^This is indeed a most notable achievement, Messer 
Hammond, and the restoration of four ships and their 
crews at the present moment is of great importance to the 
republic, threatened as she is with invasion by land and sea. 
How, Messer Polani, if you will give us the full details of 
which you spoke we shall be glad.” 

Polani then related to the council the full story of the 
means by which the crew of the Pluto had gained their 
liberty, showing how the recapture was entirely due to the 
initiative of Francis, and to the ingenuity with which he 
overcame all difficulties. 

He ended by saying : 

‘^My kinsman, Matteo, said that should you doubt 
whether this account is not tinged by his friendship and 
partiality for Messer Hammond, Signor Parucchi and all 
the gentlemen who were confined with them in the hold 


TEE LION OF ST, MABK, 


305 


can substantiate the account that he has given. He said 
that Parucchi's evidence would be all the more valuable 
since he and the other officers were in the first place much 
prejudiced against Messer Hammond, deeming it an in- 
dignity that one so young, and a foreigner by birth, should 
be appointed to the command over the heads of others, 
Venetian born, of good family, and his seniors in age. 
The circumstances which I have related to you have, how- 
ever, completely altered his opinion, and he is as enthusi- 
astic with respect to Messer Hammond^s conduct as are my 
kinsman and all on board the ship.” 

I remember now,” one of the council said, that we 
had a letter from the admiral in the spring, and that when 
describing how terribly the crews had been diminished and 
weakened by the severity of the winter, he said that the 
sole exception was the Pluto, whose crew was kept up to 
their full strength and in excellent health, owing entirely 
to the care and attention that Messer Hammond, the 
officer second in command, had bestowed upon them.” 

Thanks, Messer Polani,” the president of the council 
said, ^^for the light you have thrown on this matter. 
Messer Hammond, it is difficult to over-estimate the serv- 
ices that you have rendered to the state. We shall at an 
early day decide in what manner most fitly to reward them, 
and in the meantime you will remain in command of the 
squadron you liave brought in.” 

Francis returned thanks for the promise of the president, 
but expressed his desire to resign the command of the 
squadron at once. 

I am in business,” he said, with Messer Polani, and 
although for a short time I abandoned commerce in order 
to sail under Admiral Pisani, I now, from various reasons, 
desire, as soon as my successor is appointed, to return to 
my work with Signor Polani. I desire to recommend 
warmly to your excellencies Signor Parucchi, who is, ex- 
cept myself, the sole remaining officer of the Pluto. Ho 

20 


306 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


seconded me most admirably in our enterprise, and him- 
self commanded at the recapture of one of the ships. The 
gentlemen volunteers also worked with the greatest energy 
und spirit. Matteo Giustiniani has been acting as third 
officer, and to him also the thanks of the republic are due." 

On leaving the ship Messer Polani had dispatched a boat 
to carry to his house the news that Francis had returned, 
and when they came back from the palace they found 
Giulia anxiously expecting them, and a few minutes later 
Matteo arrived with his brother Kufino, and Maria. The 
latter was far more effusive in her greeting of Francis than 
Giulia had been. 

Matteo has been telling us all about it, Francis, and 
that he and every one else owed their escape from the dun- 
geons of Genoa entirely to your cleverness." 

^^Not so much to his cleverness, Maria," Matteo cor- 
rected, although he is wonderful in inventing things, 
but to his energy, determination, and steadfastness. 
There was not one of us but regarded a visit to the dun- 
geons of Genoa as a foregone conclusion, and when Francis 
spoke of our recapturing the Pluto as if it were the easiest 
and most natural thing in the world, it was as much as we 
<iould do not to laugh in his face. However, he set about 
it as quietly and calmly as if he were carrying on the reg- 
ular work of a ship. We gradually caught some of his 
spirit, and when we began to see that there was a method 
in his madness did our best to carry out his orders." 

It is wonderful," Maria said ; and do you know, 
Francisco, that when we first knew you, after you had res- 
cued us from the attack on the canal, I absolutely thought 
that though you were brave and straightforward and 
honorable, yet that by the side of our own people of your 
age you were rather stupid ; and ever since then I have 
been learning how mistaken I was." 

Francis laughed. I think your estimate of me was 
correct enough," he said. ^^You see people are often 


THE LION OF ST. MABK. 


307 


stupid one way and sharp another. Matteo will tell you I 
was far behind most of those in the seminary in learning 
lessons, and certainly when it came to talking and bandy- 
ing jokes I had no chance at all. I suppose that every 
lady I have ever spoken to when I have been with you at 
entertainments has thought me exceptionally stupid ; and 
I am sure I am in most things, only I suppose I have got 
a fair share of common-sense and a habit of thinking for 
myself. There was no cleverness at all in anything that 
Matteo is telling you of. It was just the same here as it 
was when I was in that cell near Tunis. I wanted to get 
out. I supposed there must be some way out if I could 
but discover it, and so I sat down to think how it was to 
be done ; and of course, after trying in my mind every 
possible scheme, I hit upon the right one. There cer- 
tainly was nothing clever in that.^^ 

But I have heard nothing about it yet,^^ Giulia said ; 

and every one else seems to know how it was done.^^ 
Matteo, do you tell Giulia, Maria ordered. I have 
lots of questions to ask Francis.” 

By the way, Francis,” Messer Polani said, you will 
be glad to hear that I have succeeded in getting home your 
man Giuseppi. He returned two days ago, and I have no 
doubt is somewhere below waiting to see you.” 

I will go and see him at once,” Francis said, hurrying 
away. I am indeed glad to know that you have rescued 
him.” 

Maria laughed as the door closed behind Francis. 

There, Eufino,” she said, turning to him, ^^you pretend 
sometimes to be jealous of Francisco Hammond ; and there 
you see, just when I have said I have lots of questions to 
ask him, and five minutes after my arrival here to greet 
him, he races away without a word directly he hears that 
his man Giuseppi has returned.” 

And he is quite right, Maria,” Matteo said indignantly. 

Giuseppi would give his life for Francisco, and the two 


S08 


THE LION OF iST. MABK, 


have been together every day for the last six or seven years. 
I don^t doubt the faithful fellow is crying with joy now. 
Prancisco is quite right not to keep him waiting for a 
minute/^ 

‘^Perhaps I cried for joy too. Master Matteo,” Maria 
said. 

I believe I did see tears in your eyes, Maria ; but I put 
them down to my own account. You would naturally be 
delighted to know that your brother-in-law was safe and 
sound, to say nothing of the fact that the family would be 
spared the expense of sending a thousand ducats or so to 
ransom him.” 

A thousand ducats, Matteo ! A thousand soldi would 
more nearly represent your value, if the Genoese did but 
know it. But why don^t you tell Giulia your adventures, 
as I ordered you ? ” 

Because Giulia would very much rather hear them 
from Francisco^s lips, and I have no doubt he will be 
equally glad to tell her hWself, though certainly he is a 
bad hand at recounting his own doings. However, he 
shall have the pleasure of telling her of it, and I can fill 
up the details for her afterward.” 

Two days later a decree was published by the council 
stating that, in consideration of the very great service 
rendered to the state by Francisco Hammond, a citizen 
of Venice, in recapturing four galleys from the Genoese, 
the council decreed the settlement upon him for life of a 
pension of three hundred ducats a year. 

You will not want it, Francisco,” Messer Polani said, 
as he brought in the news, for I intend at the end of 
these troubles to take you as a partner in my business. I 
told your father that I should do so, and you have not 
only proved yourself earnest in business, quick at learning, 
and full of resources, but you have vastly added to the 
debt of gratitude which first caused me to make the prop- 
osition, by again saving my daughters from falling into 


THE LION OF ST, MABK. 


309 


the hands of their enemy. I told your father that I should 
regard you in the light of a son, and I do so regard you, 
and as a son of whom I have every reason to be proud. 

‘ ^ I need no thanks, my lad. I am still, and shall 
always remain, your debtor. You have very much more 
than fulfilled my expectations, and I shall be glad to place 
some of the burden of my business upon your shoulders. 
There is another matter which I have long had in my 
mind, but of which I will not speak just at present. 
Thus, then, the uhree hundred ducats which you will re- 
ceive each year from the state may not be needed by you. 
Still you are to be congratulated upon the grant, because 
being the recipient of a pension for distinguished services 
will add to your weight and influence in the city ; and so 
long as you do not need it — and no man can say what may 
occur in the course of years to hinder the trade of 
Venice — you can bestow the sum annually upon the poor 
of the city, and thus increase your popularity." 

I shall be happy to do that, signor," Francis said, al- 
though it seems to me that popularity is of little value in 
Venice. It has not saved the man whom a short time 
since the people hailed as their father from unmerited dis- 
grace and imprisonment." 

It has not, Francisco, but it has saved his life. You 
may take my word for it that the proposal absolutely 
made in the council for the execution of Pisani would 
have been voted had it not been for fear of the people ; and 
it may be that you will yet see that the voice of the people 
will bring Pisani from his prison long before the expira- 
tion of his term of imprisonment. Popularity is not to be 
despised, for it is a great power. That power may be 
abused, as when one, having gained the ear of the people, 
leads them astray for his own base ends, and uses the 
popularity he has gained to attack and hurl from power 
men less eloquent and less gifted in the arts of cajoling the 
people, but more worthy than himself. But, used rightly. 


310 


THE LION OF ST. 3IARK. 


the power of swaying and influencing the people is a great 
one, and especially valuable in a city like Venice, where 
private enmities and private feuds are carried to so great 
an extent. Already your name is in every mouth. Your 
rescue of Pisani when sorely beset by the enemy has been 
the theme of talk in every house ; and this feat which re- 
trieves to some extent the misfortune of Pola, will make 
your name a household word in Venice. 

Immediately after the battle of Pola the Venetians had 
entered into negotiations with Hungary to endeavor to de- 
tach that power from the league against them. But the 
demands of King Louis were too extravagant to be ac- 
cepted. He demanded the cession of Trieste, the recogni- 
tion of the suzerainty of his crown on the part of the pres- 
ent doge and all his successors, an annual tribute of one 
hundred thousand ducats, and half a million of ready 
money. This demand was so excessive that even in their 
distress the Venetians refused to accept it, and hastened 
on their preparations for a struggle for life or death. 

Fortunately the Genoese continued for three months 
after their success at Pola to capture the outlying posses- 
ijions of Venice instead of striking at the capital. Toward 
the end of July seventeen Genoese vessels appeared off 
Pelestrina, burned a merchant ship lying there, and spent 
the day in reconnoitering positions and in taking soundings 
of the shallows and canals off Brondolo. They then sailed 
away for Dalmatia. 

In less than a week six galleys hove in sight and Admiral 
Giustiniani, who was in supreme command of the forces, 
issued out from the Lido with an equal number of ships to 
give them battle. On his way, however, a black object 
was seen in the water. As they neared it this was seen to 
be the head of a swimmer. He was soon picked up, and 
was found to be a Venetian citizen named Savadia, who 
had been captured by the enemy but had managed to es- 
cape, and was swimming toward land to warn his country- 


THE LION OF ST. MAEK. 


311 


men that the whole Genoese fleet of forty-seven sail, under 
Pietro Doria, was close at hand, and that the six ships in 
the offing were simply a decoy to tempt the Venetians to 
come out and give battle. 

Giustiniani at once returned to port, and scarcely had he 
done so than the whole Genoese fleet made its appearance. 
They approached the passage of the Lido ; but the respite 
that had been afforded them had enabled the Venetians to 
make their preparations, and the Genoese found, to their 
disappointment, that the channels of the Lido and Malo- 
mocco were completely closed up with sunken vessels, pali- 
sades, and chains ; and they sailed away to seek another 
entry through which they could strike at Venice. 

Had the same precautions that had proved so effective at 
the Lido and Malamocco passages been taken at all the 
other channels Venice could have defied all the efforts of 
Dorians fleet. The city is situated on a group of small 
islands rising in the midst of a shallow basin twenty-five 
miles long and five wide, and separated from the sea by a 
long sandbank formed by the sediment brought down by 
the rivers Piave and Adige. 

Through this sand-bank the sea had pierced several 
channels. Treporti, the northern of these channels, con- 
tained w^ter only for the smallest craft. The next open- 
ing was known as the port of Lido, and separated the 
island of San Nicolo from Malamocco. Five miles further 
on is the passage of Malamocco, between that island and 
Pelestrina. Southwest of Pelestrina lay Brondolo, behind 
which stood Chioggia, twenty miles distant from Venice. 
The southern point of Brondolo was only separated by a 
small channel — called the Canal of Lombardy — from 
the mainland. 

Unfortunately at Brondolo the channel had not been 
closed. All preparations had been made for doing so, but 
the work had been postponed until the last moment in 
order that trading vessels might enter and leave the har- 


312 


THE LION OF ST. MAEE. 


bor, the Chioggians believing that there was sure to be 
sufficient warning of the approach of an enemy to enable 
them to close the entrance in time. The sudden appear- 
ance of Dorians fleet before Brondolo upset all these calcu- 
lations, and the Genoese easily carried the position. Little 
Chioggia, the portion of the town separated from the rest 
by the Canal of Santa Caterina, was captured without 
difficulty ; but the bridge across the canal was strongly 
defended by bastions and redoubts, and here Pietro Emo 
made a brave stand with his garrison of three thousand 
flve hundred men. 

The enemy at once erected his batteries, and on the 12th 
of August the Genoese opened Are. The Venetians replied 
stoutly, and for three days a heavy cannonade was kept up 
on both sides. Reinforcements had reached the garrison 
from Venice, and hour by hour swift boats brought the 
news to the city of the progress of the flght. So far all 
seemed going on well ; the Genoese had suffered heavily, 
and made no impression upon the batteries at the head of 
the bridge. The days passed in Venice in a state of rest- 
less disquietude. It was hoped and believed that Chioggia 
could successfully defend itself ; but if it fell the conse- 
quence would be terrible. 

Already the Hungarians had overrun the Venetian pos- 
sessions on the mainland, the Lord of Padua was in the 
fleld with his army, and communication was cut with 
Ferrara, their sole ally. Should Chioggia fall, the Gen- 
oese fleet would enter the lagoons and would sail by the 
great channel through the flats from Chioggia to Venice, 
and their light galleys could overrun the whole of the 
lagoons and cut off all communication with the mainland, 
and starvation would rapidly stare the city in the face. 

Polani made all preparations for the worst. Many of 
his valuables were hidden away in recesses beneath the 
floors, others were taken on board one of his ships in the 
port, and this was held in readiness to convey Giulia and 


THE LION OF ST, MARK. 


313 


Maria, whose husband had willingly accepted Polani’s offer 
to endeavor to carry her off by sea with Giulia in case the 
Genoese should enter the city. The merchant made an 
excursion to Chioggia with Francis to see for himself how 
things were going, and returned somewhat reassured. 

Francis spent much of his time at the port visiting 
Polani’s ships, talking to the sailors, and expressing to 
them his opinion that the Genoese and Paduans would 
never have dared to lay siege to Chioggia had they not 
known that Pisani was no longer in command of the 
Venetian forces. I regard the present state of affairs,^^ 
he said over and over again, as a judgment upon the 
city for its base ingratitude to the brave admiral, and I 
am convinced that things will never come right until we 
have him again in command of our fleet. 

Giustiniani is no doubt an able man ; but what has 
he ever done in comparison to what Pisani has accom- 
plished ? Why should we place our only hope of safety in 
the hands of an untried man. I warrant if Pisani was out 
and about you would see Venice as active as a swarm of 
bees, pouring out against our aggressors. What is being 
done now ? Preparations are being made ; but of what 
kind ? Ships are sunk in the channel ; but what will be 
the use of this if Chioggia falls ? The canals to that place 
will be blocked, but that will not prevent the Genoese from 
passing in their light boats from island to island until they 
enter Venice itself. 

Do you think all these ships would be lying idly here 
if Pisani were in command ? Talk to your comrades, talk 
to the sailors in the port, talk to those on shore when you 
land, and urge everywhere that the cry should be raised 
for Pisanrs release and restoration to command.” 


314 


TEE LION OF ST. MARK. 


CHAPTEK XVIIL 

THE RELEASE OF PISAHI. 

Oh the morning of the 17 th the party were sitting at 
breakfast, when Giulia suddenly sprang to her feet. 

Listen ! she exclaimed. Her father and Erancis 
looked at her in surprise, hut instinctively listened for what- 
ever sound she could have heard ; then a deep, solemn 
sound boomed through the air. 

It is the hell of the Campanile tolling,^^ the merchant 
exclaimed. It is the signal for all citizens to take up 
arms. Some terrible news has arrived. 

Hastily putting on his armor, the merchant started to 
St. Markus, accompanied by Erancis, who put on a steel 
cap, which he preferred to the heavy helmet, and a breast- 
plate. A crowd of citizens were pursuing the same direc- 
tion. The numbers thickened as they approached the 
Piazza, which they found on their arrival to be already 
thronged with people, who were densely packed in front of 
the palace, awaiting an explanation of the summons. 

There was a look of deep anxiety on every face, for all 
felt that the news must he had indeed which could have 
necessitated such a call. Presently the doge, accompanied 
by the council, appeared in the balcony. A complete si- 
lence fell upon the multitude, the hell ceased tolling, and 
not the slightest sound disturbed the stillness. One of 
the councilors stepped to the front, for the doge Contarini 
was now seventy-two years old, and his voice could hardly 
have been heard over so wide an area. 

Citizens of the republic, gather, I pray you, all your 


THE LION OF ST. MARE. 


315 


fortitude and constancy to hear the news which I have ta 
tell. It is had news ; but there is no reason for repining, 
still less for despair. If Venice has but confidence in her- 
self, such as she has throughout her history shown when 
danger seemed imminent, be assured that we shall weather 
this storm as we have done all that have preceded it. 
Chioggia has fallen ! 

An exclamation of pain and grief went up from the 
crowd. The speaker held up his hand for silence. 

Chioggia, contrary to our hopes and expectations, ha& 
fallen ; hut we are proud to say it has fallen from no lack 
of bravery on the part of its defenders. As you know, for 
six days the brave podesta, Emo, and his troops have re- 
pulsed every attack ; but yesterday an unforeseen accident 
occurred. While our soldiers were holding their own, as 
usual, a Genoese fire-ship exploded in the canal behind 
them. The idea unfortunately seized the troops that the 
bridge was on fire. The Genoese shouted ^ The bridge is 
in flames ! ^ and pressed onward, and our soldiers fell back 
in some confusion toward the bridge. Here Emo with 
four brave companions made a noble stand, and for a time 
checked the advance of the foe ; but he was driven back. 
There was no time to destroy the communication behind 
him ; the enemy pressed on, and mingling with our re« 
treating soldiers entered the town. And so Chioggia was 
taken. Our loss in killed is said to be eight hundred and 
sixty men ; while the rest of the garrison — four thousand 
in number — were taken prisoners.” 

A loud cry of anguish burst from the crowd. Numbers 
of those present had relatives and friends among the garri- 
son of Chioggia ; and to all the news of this terrible disaster 
was a profound blow. Venice was open now to invasion. 
In a few hours the enemy might appear in her canals. 
The council and the nobles endeavored to dispel the feel- 
ing of despair ; while some harangued the people from the 
balconies, others went down and mingled with the crowd. 


316 


THE LION OF ST, MARK. 


assuring them that all was not yet lost, that already mes- 
sengers had been dispatched to Doria and the Lord of 
Padua, asking for terms of peace ; and even should these 
be refused Venice might yet defend herself until Zeno 
arrived with his fleet to their rescue. 

The doge himself received deputations of the citizens, 
and, by his calmness and serenity, did much to allay the 
first feeling of terror and dismay ; and in a few hours the 
city recovered its wonted aspect of tranquillity. The next 
morning the answer to the overtures was received. The 
Lord of Padua, who was doubtless beginning to feel some 
misgiving as to the final issue of the struggle, declared 
“that he himself was not unwilling to treat upon certain 
terms, but that the decision must rest in the hands of his 
colleague, Doria, believing that Venice was now in his 
grasp, rejected the idea of terms with scorn. 

^^By God^s faith, my lords of Venice,^^ he cried, ^^ye 
shall have no peace from the Lord of Padua, nor from our 
commune of Genoa, until I have put a bit in the mouths 
of the horses of your evangelist of St. Mark ; when they 
have been bridled you shall then, in sooth, have a good 
peace ; and this is our purpose and that of our commune ! 
As for these captives, my brethren, he said, pointing to 
some Genoese prisoners of rank whom the Venetians had 
sent with their embassy in hopes of conciliating the Gen- 
oese, take them back ; I want them not ; for in a few 
days I am coming to release from your prisons them and 
the rest." 

As soon as the message was received the bell summoned 
the popular assembly together, and, in the name of the 
doge, Pietro Mocenigo described to them the terrible 
nature of the peril that threatened them, told them that 
after the insolent reply of Doria there was now no hope 
save in their own exertions, and invited all to rally round 
the national standard for the protection of their hearths 
and homes. The reply of the assembly was unanimous ; 


THE LION OF ST, MARK. 


317 


and shouts were raised, Let us arm ourselves ; let us 
equip and man what galleys are in the arsenal ; let us sally 
out to the combat ; it is better to die in the defense of our 
country than to perish here from want/^ 

A universal conscription was at once ordered, new taxes 
were imposed, and the salaries of the magistrates and civil 
functionaries suspended. All business came to a stand- 
still, and property fell to a fourth of its former value. 
The imposts were not found adequate to produce the sums 
required, and a new loan at five per cent, was decreed. 
All subscribed to the utmost of their ability, raising the 
enormous sum of 6,294,040 lire. A new captain-general 
was elected, and the government nominated Taddeo Gius- 
tiniani to the post. 

The fortification of the city with earthworks was com- 
menced. Lines of defense were drawn from Lido to San 
Spirito, and two wooden towers constructed at the former 
point to guard the pass of San Nicolo. Events succeeded 
each other with the greatest rapidity, and all these matters 
were settled within thirty-six hours of the fall of Chioggia. 
In all respects the people at first yielded implicit obedi- 
ence to the order of the council ; they enrolled themselves 
for service, they subscribed to the loan, they labored at 
the outworks ; but from the moment the appointment of 
Taddeo Giustiniani was announced they grew sullen. It 
was not that they objected to the new captain-general, 
who was a popular nobleman, but every man felt that 
something more than this was required in such an emer- 
gency, and that the best man that Venice could produce 
should be at the helm. 

The sailors of the port were the first to move in the 
matter, and shouts for Vettore Pisani were heard in the 
streets. Others took up the cry, and soon a large multi- 
tude assembled in the Piazza, and with menacing shouts 
demanded that Pisani should be freed and appointed. 
So serious did the tumult become that the council were 


318 


TEE LION OF ST. MARK. 


summoned in haste. Pisani — so popular with the lower 
class that they called him their father — was viewed with 
corresponding dislike and distrust by the nobles, who 
were at once jealous of his fame and superiority, and were 
alarmed at a popularity which could have made him, had 
he chosen it, the master of the state. 

It was not, therefore, until after some hours of stormy 
debate that they decided to give in to the wishes of the 
crowd, which was continually growing larger and more 
threatening, and it was late in the evening before the 
senators deputed by the council, followed by the exulting 
populace, hurried to the prison to apprise Pisani that he 
was free, and that the doge and senate were expecting 
him. 

Pisani heard the message without emotion, and placidly 
replied that he should prefer to pass the night where he 
was in reflection, and would wait on the seignory in the 
morning. At daybreak on Friday, the 19th of August, the 
senatorial delegates and the people, accompanied by the 
other oflBcers who had been involved in the disgrace of 
Pisani, and who had now been freed, reappeared at the 
gates of the prison. These were immediately opened, and 
Pisani appeared with his usual expression of cheerfulness 
and good-humor on his face. He was at once lifted on to 
the shoulders of some sailors and home in triumph to the 
palace amid the deafening cheers of the populace. On the 
staircase he was met by the doge and senators, who saluted 
him cordially. Mass was heard in the chapel, and Pi«ani 
and the council then set to business, and were for some 
time closeted together. 

The crowd waiting outside the building continued to 
shout, and when Pisani issued out from the palace he was 
seized and carried in triumph to his house in San Fantino. 
As he was passing the Campanile of St. Mark, his old 
pilot, Marino Corbaro, a , remarkably able seaman, but a 
perpetual grumbler against those in authority, met him. 


THE LION OF ST. MARE. 319 

and elbowing his way through the crowd, drew close to 
him, loudly shouting at the same time : 

Now is the time, admiral, for revenging yourself by 
seizing the dictatorship of this city ; behold all are at your 
service. All are willing at this very instant to proclaim 
you prince if you choose. 

The loyalty of Pisanos nature was so affronted by this 
offer that, in a fury of rage, he leaned forward and struck 
Corbaro a heavy blow with his fist, and then raising his 
7oice shouted to those about him : 

Let none who wish me well say, * Viva Pisani but, 
^ Viva San Marco 

And the populace then shouted, Viva San Marco and 
our Father Pisani ! ” 

No sooner had Pisani reached his house than the news 
was bruited about that the admiral had been merely ap- 
pointed governor of Lido, and that Giustiniani remained 
in command of the navy. The people were furious ; and 
a deputation of six hundred waited upon Pisani and said : 

We are yours. Command us as you will.” 

Pisani told them that it was for the republic and not for 
him to command their services. The deputation then 
went to the council, and declared in the name of fifty 
thousand Venetians that not a man would embark on the 
galleys until Pisani received his command as captain-gen- 
eral of all the forces of the republic by land and sea. The 
Council of Ten, finding it impossible to resist the popular 
demand, and terrified at the idea of the tumult that a re- 
fusal would arouse, at last agreed to their request. 

Fortunately for the republic, the four days which elapsed 
between the fall of Chioggia and the appointment of 
Pisani to the supreme command had not been utilized by 
the enemy. Carrara and Doria had always been at vari- 
ance as to their plans of operations, and as usual they dif- 
fered now. The Lord of Padua urged the necessity foi 
following up their success by an instant attack upon Venice, 


320 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


•while Doria insisted upon carrying out his original plan 
and trusting as much to starvation as to military opera- 
tions. He, however, gradually pushed forward two out- 
posts at Poroja and Malamocco, and on the latter island, 
at a distance of three miles from Venice, he erected a 
battery, many of whose shot fell at San Spirito. 

Francis had borne his share in the events which had led 
to the installation of Pisani in the supreme command. 
He had at first instigated the sailors of Polani to raise a 
cry in the streets for the restoration of the admiral, and 
had gone about with two or three of his friends mingling 
with knots of persons, and urging that the only hope of 
the republic lay in the energy and talent of Pisani. Even 
Matteo had joined him, although Taddeo Giustiniani was 
his own uncle ; but, as the lad said, What matters it 
about relationship now ? what will become of relationship 
if the Genoese and Paduans land here, raze the city to the 
ground, and scatter us over the face of the earth ? No. 
When it comes to a question of ordinary command, of 
course I should go with my family ; but when Venice is 
in danger, and only one man can save her, I should vote 
for him whoever the other may be.” 

Polani had also exerted the great influence he possessed 
among the commercial classes, and had aided the efforts 
of Francis by giving leave to the sailors of all his ships in 
port to go on shore. A few hours after Pisani^s release 
the merchant, accompanied by Francis, called upon him. 

Welcome, my friends,” he said heartily. Well, you 
see, Messer Hammond, that I was a true prophet, and that 
I have had my share of the dungeon. However, we need 
not talk of that now, I am up to my eyes in business.” 

have no doubt of that, admiral,” Polani said ; I 
have called to offer every ship I have in the harbor for the 
defense of the city. I myself will continue to pay their 
crews as at present. Use the vessels as you like. Makd 
fire-ships of them if you will ; I can afford the loss.” 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


321 


Thanks, my friend/^ the admiral said ; we shall find 
a use for them, never fear. As for you, Messer Hammond, 
even in my prison I heard of your gallant feat in recaptur- 
ing the Pluto and three other ships from the Genoese, and 
thus retrieving to some extent the losses of Pola. I hope 
to wipe off the rest of the score before long. I shall find a 
command for you in a day or two. Age and rank go for 
nothing now. I am going to put the best men in the best 
position. I have just appointed that old rascal, Corbaro, 
vice-admiral of the Lido. He is a grumbling old scoundrel, 
and would have had me get up a revolution to-day, for 
which I had to knock him down ; but he is one of the best 
sailors Venice ever turned out, and just the man for the 
place.” 

I would rather act as a general aide-de-camp to you, 
admiral, than have a separate command, if you will allow 
me,” Francis said. I am still too young to command, 
and should be thwarted by rivalry and jealousies. I would 
therefore far rather act under your immediate orders, if 
you will allow me.” 

So be it then, lad. Come to me to-morrow, and I have 
no doubt I shall have plenty for you to do. At present I 
cannot say what course I may adopt, for in truth I don^t 
know what position I shall hold. The people do not seem 
content with my having only the government of Lido ; but 
for myself I care nothing whether I hold that command or 
that of captain-general, it is all one to me so that I can 
serve the republic. And Giustiniani is an able man, and 
will no doubt do his business well. You do not think 
so, young man ? ” he broke off when Francis shook his 
head. 

do not, indeed, sir. He has erected two wooden 
towers at the mouth of the Lido, which the first stone from 
a Genoese ballista would knock to splinters ; and has put 
up a fence to San Spirito which a Genoese soldier in fuL 
armor could jump over.” 

21 


322 


THE LION OF ST MARK. 


Well, we shall see, Messer Hammond,^' the admiral 
said, smiling. I fear you have one bad quality among 
your many good ones, and that is that you are a partisan ; 
but go along now, I have no more time to spare to you.^^ 

No sooner had Pisani obtained the supreme command 
than he set to work in earnest to provide for the safety of 
the city, the reorganization of the navy, and the conversion 
of the new levies into soldiers and sailors. The hulls of 
forty galleys which were lying in the arsenals were taken 
in hand, and two-thirds of them were equipped and ready 
for sea in three days. The population was full of ardor and 
enthusiasm, and crowded to the offices to register their 
names for service ; the women brought their jewels to be 
melted down into money, and all vied with each other iu 
leal. 

Pisani^s first task after seeing the galleys put in hand 
was to examine the defenses Giustiniani had erected. He 
at once pronounced the two wooden towers — of which 
Francis had spoken so disrespectfully — to be utterly use- 
less, and ordered two tall towers of solid masonry to be 
erected in their stead. Giustiniani was indignant at this 
condemnation of his work ; and he and his friends so 
worked upon the minds of those who were to carry out the 
work that they laid down their tools and refused to em- 
bark upon such useless operations. The news was brought 
to Pisani by one of his friends, and, starting in his gon- 
dola, he was soon upon the spot. He wasted no time in 
remonstrating with the workmen on their conduct, but 
seizing a trowel lifted a heavy stone into its place, shout- 
ing : 

Let him who loves St. Mark follow my example ! 

The success of the appeal was instantaneous. The work- 
men grasped their tools ; a host of volunteers seized the 
stones and carried them to their places. When they were 
exhausted fresh workmen took their places, and in the in- 
credibly short time of four days the two castles were 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


323 


finished. The workmen were next set to level the paling 
and earthwork from Lido to San Spirito, and in the 
course of a fortnight the lofty and massive stone walls were 
erected. 

By this time something like a fleet was at Pisani^s dis- 
posal. In spite of the conduct of Taddeo Giustiniani, 
Pisani, with his usual magnanimity, gave him the com- 
mand of three large ships mounting the heaviest guns in 
the arsenal. The light boats were under the command of 
Giovanni Barberigo, Federigo Cornaro was stationed with 
a force of galleys at San Spirito, Nicholo Gallieano was 
charged with the defense of the Lazaretto, San Clemente, 
Sant^ Elena, and the neighborhood, while on the strand 
between Lido and Malamocco, behind the main wall, were 
the mercenaries, eight thousand strong, under Jacopo 
Cavalli. Heavy booms were placed across all the canals by 
which it was likely that the enemy’s fleet might advance. 

Francis found his ofiice under the energetic admiral no 
sinecure. He was kept constantly moving from one point 
to the other to see that all was going on well, and to report 
the progress made. The work never ceased night or day, 
and for the first week neither Francis nor his commander 
ever went to bed, contenting themselves with such chance 
sleep as they could snatch. 

Having wasted eight precious days the enemy on the 
24th of August advanced to the attack. A Genoese force 
under Doria’s brother landed upon San Hicolo, while the 
Paduans attacked San Spirito and Santa Marta. 

They found the besieged in readiness. Directly the 
alarm was given, the Venetians flocked to the threatened 
points, and repulsed the enemy with slaughter ; the latter 
then attempted to make a junction of their forces, but 
Cornaro with his galleys occupied the canal, drove back 
the boats in which they intended to cross, and defeated 
the attempt. 

Doria had felt certain that the movement, which was 


324 


TEE LION OF ST. MARK. 


attempted under cover of night, would succeed, and his 
disappointment was extreme. 

The Lord of Padua was so disgusted that he withdrew his 
troops to the mainland. Doria remained before V enice until 
the early part of October, but without making another at- 
tack ; indeed the defenses had long before become so for- 
midable that attack was well-nigh hopeless. At the end of 
that time he destroyed all his works and fell back upon 
Chioggia, and determined to wait there until Venice was 
starved into surrender. 

The suffering in the city was intense. It was cut off 
from all access to the mainland behind, but occasionally a 
ship laden with provisions from Egypt or Syria managed 
to evade the Genoese galleys ; these precarious jsupplies, 
however, availed but little for the wants of the starving 
city, eked out though they were by the exertions of the 
sailors, who occasionally sailed across the lagoon, landed on 
the mainland, and cut off the supplies sent from Padua 
and elsewhere to the Genoese camp. 

The price of provisions was so enormous that the bulk 
of the people were famishing, and even in the houses of 
the wealthy the pressure was great. The nobility, however, 
did their utmost for their starving countrymen, and the 
words of Pietro Mocenigo, speaking in the name of the 
doge to the popular assembly, were literally carried into 
effect. 

Let all,^^ he said, who are pressed by hunger, go to 
the dwellings of the patricians ; there yon will find friends 
and brothers who will divide with you their last crust. 

So desperate indeed did the position become that a 
motion was made by some members of the council for 
emigrating from the lagoons and founding a new home in 
Candia or Negropont ; but this proposal was at once nega- 
tived, and the Venetians declared that sooner than aban- 
don their city they would bury themselves under her ruins. 

So October and November passed. Carlo Zeno had not 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


325 


yet arrived, but by some letters which had been captured 
with a convoy of provisions it was learned that he had 
been achieving the most triumphant success, had swept the 
seas from Genoa to Constantinople, had captured a Genoese 
galleon valued at three hundred thousand ducats, and was 
at Candia. 

The intelligence revived the hopes of Venice, and on the 
16th of November Luigi Moroceni was dispatched to order 
him, in the name of the government, peremptorily to 
hasten to the rescue 'of Venice. Almost at the same time 
Giovanni Barberigo with his light craft surprised and 
captured three of the enemy’s vessels, killing many of the 
sailors and taking a hundred and fifty prisoners. The suc- 
cess was not in itself important, but it raised the hopes of 
the Venetians as being the first time they had taken the 
offensive. 

Pisani himself had endeavored to reconnoiter the posi- 
tion of the enemy, but had each time been sharply repulsed, 
losing ten boats and thirty men upon one occasion, when 
the doge’s nephew, Antonio Gradenigo, was also killed by 
the enemy ; but in spite of this he advised the government to 
make a great effort to recover Chioggia. He admitted 
that the chances of failure were great ; still he maintained 
that success was possible, and it was better that the Vene- 
tians should die fighting than by hunger. 

As the result of his expeditions he had found that Doria 
had at least thirty thousand men, fifty great ships, and 
from seven to eight hundred light craft. Moreover his 
troops were in high spirits, well fed, and well cared for, 
and should therefore be, man to man, more than a match 
for the starving soldiers of Venice. Nevertheless there 
was a possibility of success, as Zeno would doubtless arrive 
by the time the siege had fairly commenced. After much 
debate the council determined that the undertaking should 
be attempted. 

To stir the people to the utmost exertion the senate, on 


326 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


the 1st of December^ published a decree that the thirty pie* 
beians who should most liberally meet the urgent neces- 
sities of the state by the proffer of their persons or estates 
should, after peace was made, be raised to the rank of 
nobility and summoned to the great council ; that thirty- 
five thousand ducats of gold should be distributed an- 
nually among those who were not elected and their heirs 
forever ; that any foreign merchant who should display 
peculiar zeal for the cause of the republic should be admit- 
ted to the full privileges of citizenship ; and that, on the 
other hand, such Venetians as might endeavor to elude a 
participation in the common burdens and hardships should 
be held by so doing to have forfeited all their civil rights. 

Seventy-five candidates came forward : some offered 
money, some personal service or the service of their sons 
and relatives ; some presented galleys and offered to pay 
their crews. Immense efforts were made, and by the 21st 
of December sixty ships, four hundred boats of all sizes, 
and thirty-four war galleys were equipped. The doge, 
although just seventy-three years old, signified his wish to 
assume the supreme command of the expedition, Pisani act- 
ing as his lieutenant and admiral. 

During the long weeks the siege continued Francis saw 
little of the Polanis, his duties keeping him constantly 
near Pisani, with whom he took such meals as the time 
would afford, sleeping in his house in readiness for instant 
service. Maria had returned to her father’s house, for her 
husband was in command of the outpost nearest to the en- 
emy and was therefore constantly away from home. 

Maria’s spirits were higher than ever. She made light of 
the hardships in the way of food, bantered Francis when 
he came on his business engagements, and affected to treat 
him with extreme respect as the trusted lieutenant of 
Pisani. Giulia, too, kept up her spirits, and no one would 
have thought, listening to the lively talk of the two girls 
with their father and Francis, that Venice was besieged by 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


327 


an overwhelming force and reduced to the direst straits by 
hunger. The greater part of Polani^s ships were now in 
the service of the state ; those which remained were con- 
stantly engaged in running across to the Dalmatian coast 
and bringing in cargoes of provisions though the cordon of 
the Genoese galleys. 

The light gondola which, after being repaired, had been 
lying for two years under cover in Messer Polani^s yard had 
again been made useful. Giuseppi had returned to his old 
work, and he and another powerful oarsman made the light 
boat fly through the water as Francis carried the orders of 
the admiral to the various posts. He had also been in it 
on several of the reconnoitering expeditions in the canals 
leading to Chioggia, and although hotly chased he had on 
<each occasion left his pursuers behind. The evening be- 
fore the expedition was to start Pisani said to him : 

think you have brought me more news with that fast 
little craft of yours than I have been able to obtain even at 
the cost of some hard fighting and a good many lives. I 
wish that you would make an excursion for me to-night 
and find out, if you can, whether the enemy have moved 
their position since the last time I reconnoitered them. I 
particularly wish to learn if they have strong forces near 
the outlets of the channels of Chioggia and Brondolo and 
the canal of Lombardy. You know my plans, and with 
such a host of recruits as I shall have with me it is all im- 
portant that there should be no failure at first ; veterans 
can stand defeat, but a reverse is fatal to young troops. 
Heaven knows, they will have enough to bear with wet, 
cold, exposure, and hunger, and success will be necessary 
to keep up their spirits. Do not push your adventure too 
far ; run no risk if you can help it. I would not for much 
that harm befell you.^' 

Francis at once accepted the commission and left the 
admiral in order to make his preparations. 

Giuseppi, he said, as he took his place in the boat. 


328 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


I want you to find for me for service to-night a gondolier 
who is a native of Chioggia, and who knows every foot of 
the country round and every winding of the canals. He 
must be intelligent and brave, for the risk will be no slight 
one.” 

I think I know such a man, Messer Francisco ; but if 
he happens to be away there will be no difficulty in finding 
another, for there are many fishermen here who escaped 
before the Genoese captured Chioggia.” 

** When will you see him ? ” 

As soon as you have landed me at Messer Polani’s.” 

Go and fetch him, Giuseppi ; and if you can find one 
or two old fishermen of Chioggia, bring them also with 
you ; I want to gain as much information as possible re- 
garding the country.” 

** Is it true that the fleet starts to-morrow, Francisco ? ” 
Maria asked as he entered ; every one says so.” 

** It is quite true ; there will be no further change ; the 
orders have been all issued, and you may rely upon it that 
we are going to sea.” 

And when will you return ? ” 

That’s another matter altogether,” Francis laughed. 

It may be a week, it may be three months.” 

** But I thought we were going to fight the Genoese 
galleys ; it does not seem to me that a week is wanted to do 
that. A day to go to Chioggia, a day to fight, and a day 
to return. What can you want more than that for ? ” 

I do not think we are going to fight the Genoese gal- 
leys,” Francis answered. Certainly we shall not do so if 
we can help it ; they are vastly stronger than we are ; 
but I do not know that we need fear them for all that.” 

What do you mean, Francisco ? You do not mean to 
fight — they are vastly stronger than you are — and yet you 
do not fear them. You are not given to speak in riddles ; 
but you have puzzled me this time.” 

^^Well, I will explain myself a little,” Francis said; 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 329 

but you must remember that it is a secret, and not to be 
whispered to any one.” 

''That .is right,” Maria said. "Hove a secret, espe- 
cially a state secret. Giulia, come and sit quite close, so 
that he can whisper it into our ears, and even the walls 
shall not hear it. Now, sir, explain yourself ! ” 

" I will explain it without telling you,” Francis said. 
"Have you not gone to see African lions, who were very 
much stronger and fiercer than yourself, and yet you did 
not fear them ? ” 

" Because they have been in cages,” Maria said. " But 
what has that to do with it ? ” 

" It explains the whole matter,” Francis said. " We do 
not mean to fight the Genoese fieet if we can help it ; but 
we are going to try to put them in a cage, and then we 
shall not be afraid of them.” 

" Do not trifie with us, sir,” Maria said sternly. " How 
can you put Genoese galleys in a cage ? ” 

"We cannot put them in a cage, but we can cage them 
up,” Francis said. " Pisani’s intention is, if possible, to 
close all the entrances to the canals round Chioggia ; thus 
not only will the Genoese galleys be unable to sally out to 
attack us, but the whole of the Genoese army will be cooped 
up, and we shall then do to them what they have been 
doing to us, namely, starve them out ! ” 

" Capital, capital ! ” Maria said, clapping her hands ; 
"your Pisani is a grand man, Francisco. And if he can 
do this for us, there is nothing which we would not do 
to show our gratitude ; but you won’t find it easy ; besides, 
in the game of starving out are we likely to win ? The 
contest will not be even, for they start on it full men and 
strong, while our people are half-starved already.” 

" I do not regard success as certain,” Francis replied ; 
" and Pisani himself acknowledges the chances are very 
great against us. Still, it is possible ; and as nothing else 
seems possible, we are going to attempt it.” 


)30 


THE LION OF ST. MAMK. 


Polani looked grave when he heard of the mission which 
Francis was going to undertake ; Giulia^s bright color fled 
»t once, and Maria said angrily : 

You have no right to be always running into danger,. 
Francisco. You are not a Venetian, and there is no reason 
why you should be always running risks greater than those 
which most Venetians are likely to encounter ; you ought 
to think of us who care for you, if you don^t choose te 
think of yourself.” 

I did not volunteer for the service,” Francis said. I 
was asked by the admiral to undertake it, and even had I 
wished it I could hardly have refused. The admiral se- 
lected me, not from any merit on my part, but because he 
knows that my boat is one of the fastest on the lagoons, 
and that I can easily run away from any of the Genoese 
row-boats. He particularly ordered me to run no unnec- 
essary risks.” 

That is all very well,” Maria said ; but you know 
very well that you will run risks and put yourself in the 
way of danger if there is a chance of doing so. You should 
tell him not to go, father ! ” 

** I cannot do that, Maria ; for the service he has under- 
taken is a very important one to Venice. Everything 
depends upon the success of Pisani^s attempt, and under- 
taken, as it is, against great odds, it is of the utmost im- 
portance that there should be no mistake as to the position 
of the enemy. Whether Francis was wise or not in ac- 
cepting Pisani^s offer that he should act as his aide-de- 
camp may be doubted ; but now that he has undertaken it 
he must carry out his orders, especially as it is now too 
late to make other arrangements did he draw back. 

If you will come into my room, Francisco, I will show 
you a chart of the passages around Chioggia ; you can study 
that, and you will then better understand the information 
you may receive from the men you are expecting.” 

Half an hour later Giuseppi arrived with the Gondolier 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


831 


he had spoken of and two old fishermen, and from their 
explanations and a study of the map Francis gained an 
exact idea of the localities. From his previous expeditions 
he had learned where the Genoese were generally posted, 
and something of the strength of the forces at the varioua 
points. 

In truth, they kept but a careless watch. Feeling con- 
vinced that the Venetians possessed no forces capable of 
attacking him, and that their surrender must now be a 
matter of a few days only, Doria took no precautions ; his 
troops were all quartered in the houses of Chioggia, his 
galleys moored alongside its quays, and the utmost he did 
was to post small bodies of men with row-boats at the- 
entrances to the passages from the sea and up the lagoons, 
to give warning of any sudden attempt on the part of 
Barherigo, with his light flotilla, to make a dash at the 
galleys and endeavor to burn them. 

Having obtained all the information he could from the 
old fishermen, Francis dismissed them. 

^^It is evident, he said to Giuseppi, ^Hhat we can 
hardly hope to succeed in passing the boats at the entrance 
to the canal seaward or by going up the lagoon ; the only 
plan that I can see is for us to land on the island of Peles- 
trina, which is held by us, to carry the boat across it, and 
to embark in the Malamocco channel. In this way we 
ihould be within their cordon of boats, and can row fear- 
lessly either out to the entrances or to Chioggia itself ; we 
are not likely to be detected, and if we are, we must make 
a race of it to Pelestrina.^^ 

The gondolier agreed that the scheme was practicable, 
and Francis ordered Giuseppi and him to remove the bur- 
dens and every bit of wood that could be dispensed with 
from the gondola, so as to facilitate its transport. 


332 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


CHAPTER XIX. 

THE SIEGE OF CHIOGGIA. 

Late in the afternoon Francis embarked in his gondola, 
and in an hour and a half landed at Pelestrina. He was 
well known to those posted there as the bearer of Pisani^s 
orders, and as soon as it became dark Rufino Giustiniani, 
who was in command, ordered a dozen men to carry the 
light gondola across the island to the Malamocco channel. 
While this was being done Francis went to Rufino^s tent 
and informed him of what was going on in Venice, and 
that the whole fleet would set sail on the morrow. 

We heard rumors from the men who brought our ra- 
tions that it was to be so,” Rufino said ; but we have 
heard the same story a dozen times. So, now, it is really 
true ! But what can the admiral be thinking of ? Sure 
he can^t intend to attack Doria with this newly-manned 
fleet and rabble army. He could not hope for victory 
against such odds ? ” 

The admiral’s intentions are kept a profound secret,” 
Francis said, and are only known to the doge and the 
Council of Ten ! ” 

And to yourself,” Rufino said, laughing. 

The admiral is good enough to honor me with his full- 
est confidence,” Francis said ; and in this matter it is 
so important that the nature of the design should be kept 
wholly secret that I cannot tell it even to you ! ” 

You are quite right, Francisco ; nor do I wish to know 
it, though I would wager that Maria and her pretty sister 
have some inkling of what is going on.” 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


333 


Francis laughed. 

The signoras are good enough to treat me as a brother," 
he said, ^^and I will not affirm that they have not obtained 
some slight information." 

will warrant they have!" Eufino said. ^^When 
my wife has made up her mind to get to the bottom of a 
matter she will tease and coax till she succeeds. Ah, 
here is Matteo I he has been out posting the sentries for 
the night." 

The two friends had not indulged in a talk for some 
weeks, though they had occasionally met when Francis paid 
one of his flying visits to the island. 

I have just seen your boat being carried along," Mat- 
teo said, as he entered the tent. I could not think what 
it was till I got close ; but of course when I saw Giuseppi 
I knew all about it. What are you going to do — scout 
among the Genoese ?" 

‘ ^ I am going to find out as much as I can," Francis said. 

It^s a capital idea your bringing the boat across the 
island," Matteo said. You are always full of good ideas, 
Francis ; I canT make it out ; they never seem to occur to 
me, and at the present time especially the only ideas that 
come into my mind are as to the comfortable meals I will 
eat when this business is over. I never thought I cared 
much for eating before, but since I have had nothing but 
bread — and not enough of that — and an occasional fish, I 
have discovered that I am really fond of good living. My 
bones ache perpetually with lying on the bare ground, and 
if I escape from this without being a cripple for life from 
rheumatism I shall consider myself lucky indeed. You 
are a fortunate fellow, Francisco ; spending your time in 
the admiraFs comfortable palace or flying about in a smooth- 
rowing gondola." 

“ That is one side of the question certainly," Francis 
said, laughing ; ^^but there is a good deal of hard work too 
in the way of writing." 


334 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


I should not like that/^ Matteo said. Still, I think 
you have the best of it. If the Genoese would come some- 
times and try and drive us off the island there would be 
some excitement. But except when the admiral wishes a 
reconnoissance, or Barberigo^s galleys come down and stir 
them up, there is really nothing doing here.^^ 

* * That ought to suit you exactly, Matteo, for never but 
once did I hear you say you wanted to do anything. 

‘^When was that Kufino asked, laughing. 

^'Matteo conceived a violent desire to climb Mount 
Etna,” Francis said, and it needed all my arguments to 
prevent his leaving the ship at Girgenti, while she was load- 
ing, and starting to make the ascent.” 

He would have repented before he had gone a quarter 
of the way up,” Rufino said. 

I might have repented,” Matteo replied stoutly, but 
I would have done it if I had begun. You donT know me 
yet, Rufino ; I have a large store of energy, only at present 
I have had no opportunity of showing what I am made of. 
And now how do you intend to proceed, Francisco ? Have 
you any plan ? ” 

^^None at all,” Francis replied. simply want to as- 
sure myself that the galleys are all in their usual places, 
and that the Genoese are making no special preparations 
against our coming.” 

'' I have seen no unusual stir,” Rufino said. Their 
ships, as far as one can see their masts, seem all in their 
usual position. I fancy that since Barberigo carried off 
two of them they have put booms across the channels to 
prevent sudden attacks. I saw a lot of row-boats busy 
about something, but I could not make out exactly what 
they were doing ; but still I fancy they were constructing 
a boom. Their galleys keep a sharp lookout at night, and 
you certainly would not have succeeded in passing them 
had you not hit upon this plan of carrying your boat over. 

Your greatest danger will be at first. When once you 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


335 


have fairly entered the inner canal yon are not likely 
to be suspected of being an enemy. They will take you 
for Chioggian fishermen returning late. We often make 
out their fishing-boats near the town. No doubt Doria is 
fond of fresh fish. Otherwise you would be detected, for 
the Genoese boats are of course quite different to ours, and 
even in the dark they would make out that you belonged 
to the lagoons. Ah, here is supper ! It is not often that 
I should have anything to offer you, but one of my men 
managed to catch three or four fish to-day, and sold them 
to me at about their weight in silver. However, I have 
some good wine from my own cellars, and a man who has 
good wine, fish, and bread can do royally, whatever this 
grumbling brother of mine may say.” 

Half an hour later a soldier brought the news that the 
gondola was in the water, and Francis bade adieu to his 
friends and started at once. Row slowly and quietly,” 
he said as he took his seat. Ho not let your oars make 
the slightest splash in the water until we are well across to 
the opposite shore ; they may have a guard-boat lying in 
the channel.” 

The light craft made her way noiselessly across the 
water. Once or twice they heard the sound of oars as some 
Genoese galley passed up or down, but none came near 
enough to perceive them, and they crossed the main chan- 
nel and entered one of the numerous passages practicable 
only for boats of very light draught, without being once 
hailed. A broad shallow tract of water was now crossed, 
passable only by craft drawing but a few inches of water ; 
then again they were in a deeper channel, and the lights 
of Chioggia rose but a short distance ahead. They paused 
and listened now, for they were nearing the ship channel, 
and here the enemy would, if anywhere, be on the alert. 
Coming across the water they could hear the sound of 
voices and the dull noise made by the movement of men in 
a boat. 


336 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


Those are the galleys watching the boom, I expect,’’ 
Prancis said. Now, Philippo, we can move on ; I sup- 
pose there is plenty of water across the flats for us to get 
into the channel without going near the boom.” 

Plenty for us, signor ; but if the boom goes right 
across the channel heavy row-boats would not be able to 
pass. There are few shallower places in the lagoons than 
just about here ; it may be that in one or two places even 
we might touch, but if we do the bottom is firm enough 
for us to get out and float the boat over.” 

But they did not touch any shoal sufficiently shallow to 
necessitate this. Several times Francis could feel by the 
dragging pace that she was touching the oozy bottom ; but 
each time she passed over without coming to a standstill. 
At last Philippo said : 

We are in the deep channel now, signor ; the boom is 
right astern of us. The town is only a few hundred yards 
ahead.” 

Then we shall be passing the Genoese galleys directly,” 
Francis said ; ^^row slowly as we go and splash sometimes 
with the oars ; if we go quickly and noiselessly past they 
might possibly suspect something, but if we row without 
any attempt at concealment they will take us for a fisher- 
man’s boat.” 

Soon the dark mass of Genoese ships, with their forests 
of masts, rose before them. There were lights in the 
cabins, and a buzz of talking, laughing, and singing 
among the crews on board. 

What luck to-day?” a sailor asked them as they rowed 
past twenty or thirty yards from the side of one of the 
ships. 

Very poor,” Giuseppi replied. ‘‘1 think your ships 
and the boats lying about, and the firing, have frightened 
the fish away from this end of the lagoons.” 

It was half a mile before they passed the last of the 
crowd of vessels. Would you like me to land here. 


TBE LION OF ST. MARK. 


337 


signor ? ” Philippo said. ** There would be no danger in 
my doing so. I can make my way through the streets to 
the house of some of my relatives and find out from them 
whether there are any fresh movements among the Geno- 
ese. I will not enter any house ; for aught I know there 
are soldiers quartered everywhere ; but I am sure not to 
go many yards before I run against some one I know.^^ 

I think it will be a very good plan, Philippo ; we will 
lie under the bank here and wait your return. 

It was not more than twenty minutes before the gon- 
dolier was back. 

I have spoken to three men I know, signor ; they are 
agreed that there are no movements among the enemy, 
and no one seems to have an idea that the Venetians are 
about to put to sea. Of course I was cautious not to let 
drop a word on the subject, and only said we had managed 
to get through the enemy^’s cordon to learn the latest 
news, and I expected to earn a ducat or two by my nighPs 
work.^^ 

That is excellent, Francis said. Now we will row 
out to the sea mouths of the channels to assure ourselves 
that no ships are lying on guard there, for some are going 
in or out every day to cruise along the coast. A few may 
have taken up their station there without attracting notice 
among the townspeople.^^ 

The opening of the passage known as the Canal of 
Lombardy was first visited. To gain this they had to re- 
trace their steps for some distance and to row through the 
town of Chioggia, passing several boats and galleys, but 
without attracting notice. They found the mouth of the 
canal entirely unguarded, and then returned and rowed 
out to the mouth of the Brondolo passage. 

Some blazing fires on the shore showed that there were 
parties of soldiers here, but no ships were lying anywhere 
in the channel. After some consultation they determined 
that as no watch seemed to be kept, it would be shorter to 


338 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


row on outside the islands, and to enter by the third pas- 
sage to be examined, that between Pelestrina and Bron- 
dolo. Here, however, the Genoese were more on the 
alert, as the Pelestrina shore was held by the Venetians. 
Scarcely had they entered the channel when a large row- 
boat shot out from the shadow of the shore and hailed them. 

Stop rowing in that boat ! Who are you that are en- 
tering so late ? 

Fishermen, Philippo shouted back, but without 
stopping rowing. 

Stop !” shouted the officer, ^^till we examine you ! it 
is forbidden to enter the channel after dark.” 

But the gondoliers rowed steadily on until ahead of the 
boat coming out. This fell into their wake, and its angry 
officer shouted threats against the fugitives, and exhorted 
his men to row their hardest. 

There are two more boats ahead, signor ; they are 
lying on their oars to cut us off. One is a good deal fur- 
ther out than the other, and I donT think we shall gain 
Pelestrina.” 

Then make for the Brondolo shore till we have passed 
them,” Francis said. 

The boat whirled off her course and made toward the 
shore. The Genoese galleys ahead at once made toward 
them ; but in spite of the numerous oars they pulled the 
craft could not keep up with the racing gondola, and it 
crossed ahead of them. In another five minutes’ rowing 
the three galleys were well astern, and the gondola again 
made out from the shore, her head pointing obliquely to- 
ward Pelestrina. The galleys were now fifty yards behind, 
and although their crews rowed their hardest the gondola 
gradually gained upon them, and crossing their bows 
made over toward Pelestrina. 

We are out of the channel now,” Philippo said, ^“"and 
there will not be water enough for them to follow us much 
further.” 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 339 

A minute or two later a sudden shout proclaimed that 
the nearest of their pursuers had touched the ground. 

We can take it easy now/^ Giuseppi said, and I am 
not sorry, for we could not have rowed harder if we had 
been racing. 

A few minutes later the light craft touched the mud a 
few yards distant from the shore. 

Is that you, Francisco Si voice which Francis recog- 
nized as Matteo^s asked. 

^^All right, Matteo!" he replied. ^^No one hurt this 
time.^^ 

I have been on the lookout for you the last hour. I 
have got a body of my men here in case you were chased. 
We heard the shouting and guessed it was you.” 

If you have got some men there, Matteo, there is a 
chance for you to take a prize. A galley rowing twelve or 
fourteen oars is in the mud a few hundred yards out. She 
was chasing us and ran aground when at full speed, and I 
imagine they will have some trouble in getting her off. I 
suppose she draws a couple of feet of water. There ! donT 
you hear the hubbub they are making ? ” 

I hear them,” Matteo said. Come along, lads. The 
night is cold, and I donT suppose the water is any warmer, 
but a skirmish will heat our blood.” 

Matteo, followed by a company of some forty men, at 
once entered the water and made in the direction of the 
sounds. Five minutes later Francis heard shouts and a 
clashing of weapons suddenly break out. It lasted but a 
short time, Matteo and his band soon returned with the 
prisoners. 

What ! have you waited, Francisco ? I thought you 
would be on the other side of the island by this time.” 

I was in no particular hurry, Matteo ; and besides, I 
want my boat ; and although two men can lift her easily 
enough she would be a heavy weight to carry so far.” 

^^You shall have a dozen, Francisco. It is owing to you 


340 


TEE LION OF ST. MARE. 


we have taken these prisoners and that I have had my first 
bit of excitement since I came out here. Sergeant, here 
are a couple of ducats. When you have given the prison- 
ers into safe custody spend the money in wine for the com- 
pany. The water is bitterly cold, I can tell you, Fran- 
cisco, but otherwise I am warm enough, for one^s feet stick 
to the mud, and it seems each step as if one had fifty 
pounds of lead on one^s shoes. But come along to my 
brother’s tent at once. Your feet must be cold too, though 
the water was only a few inches deep where you got out of 
your boat. A glass of hot wine will do us both good ; and 
it will be an hour before your boat is in the water again. 
Indeed, I don’t see the use of your starting before day- 
break.” 

^^Nor do I, Matteo ; but I must go nevertheless. Pisani 
knows how long it will take me to get to Chioggia and re- 
turn. He will allow an hour or two for me to reconnoiter, 
and will then be expecting me back. As it is I shall be 
two hours after the time when he will be expecting me, 
for he knows nothing about the boat being carried across 
this island, and will make no allowance for that. More- 
over, Polani and his daughters will be anxious about me.” 

Oh, you fiatter yourself they will be lying awake for 
you,” Matteo said, laughing, thinking over your dangers ? 
Well, there’s nothing like having a good idea of one’s self.” 

Francis joined in the laugh. "^It does sound rather 
conceited, Matteo ; but I know they will be anxious. 
They took up the idea it was a dangerous service I was go- 
ing on, and I have no doubt they fidgeted over it. Women 
are always fancying things, you know.” 

I don’t know any one who fidgets about me,” Matteo 
said ; but then you see I am not a rescuer of damsels in 
distress, nor have I received the thanks of the republic for 
gallant actions.” 

''Well, you ought to have done,” Francis replied. 

You had just as much to do with that fight on board 


THE LION OF ST. MABK. 


341 


Pisani^s galley as I had, only it happened I was in com- 
mand. Oh, there is your brother's tent ! I see there is a 
light burning, so I suppose he has not gone to bed yet.^^ 

All the better,” Matteo said ; we shall get our hot 
wine all the quicker. My teeth are chattering so I hardly 
dare speak for fear of biting my tongue.” 

Francis was warmly welcomed by Rufino Giustiniani. 

I need hardly ask you if you have succeeded in recon- 
noitering their positions, for I know you would not come 
back before morning had you not carried out your orders. 
Why, Matteo, what have you been doing — wading in the 
mud, apparently ? Why, you are wet up to the waist.” 

have captured an officer and fourteen men, Rufino. 
They will be here in a few minutes. Their boat got stuck 
fast while it was chasing Francisco ; so we waded out and 
took them. They made some resistance, but beyond a few 
slashes and two or three thumps from their oars no harm 
was done.” 

^'That is right, Matteo. I am glad you have had a 
skirmish with them at last. Now go in and change your 
things. I shall have you on my hands with rheumatism.” 

will do that at once, and I hope you will have some 
hot spiced wine ready by the time I have changed, for I 
am nearly frozen.” 

The embers of a fire outside the tent were soon stirred 
together, and in a few minutes the wine was prepared. 
In the meantime Francis had been telling Rufino the in- 
cidents of his trip. 

In half an hour the message came that the gondola was 
again in the water, and Francis was soon on his way back 
to the city. 

I was beginning to be anxious about you,” was Pisani’s 
greeting as, upon being informed of his return, he sprang 
from the couch on which he had thrown himself for an 
hour^s sleep, and hurried downstairs. I reckoned that 
you might have been back an hour before this, and began 


342 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


to think that you must have got into some scrape. Well, 
what have you discovered ? ” 

The Genoese have no idea that you are going to put to 
sea. Their ships and galleys are, as usual, moored off the 
quays of Ohioggia. The entrance to the Canal of Lom- 
bardy and the Brondolo passage are both quite open, and 
there appear to be no troops anywhere near ; but between 
Pelestrina and Brondolo they have row-boats watching the 
entrance, but no craft of any size. There are a few troops 
there, but, so far as I could judge by the number of fires, 
not more than two hundred men or so.^^ 

Your news is excellent, Francisco. I will not ask you 
more now. It is three o^clock already, and at five I must 
be up and doing ; so get off to bed as soon as you can. 
You can give me the details in the morning. 

The gondola was still waiting at the steps, and in a few 
minutes Francis arrived at the Palazzo Polani. A servant 
was sleeping on a bench in the hall; he started up as 
Francis entered. 

I have orders to let my master know as soon as you 
return, signor.” 

You can tell him at the same time that I have returned 
without hurt, and pray him not to disturb himself, as I 
can tell him what has taken place in the morning.” 

Polani, however, at once came to Francis’ room. 

Thank heaven you have returned safe to us, my boy ! ” 
he said. have just knocked at the girls’ doors to tell 
them of your return, and, by the quickness with which 
they answered, I am sure that they, like myself, have had 
no sleep. Have you succeeded in your mission ? ” 

Perfectly, signor. I have been to Ohioggia itself and 
to the entrances of the three passages, and have discovered 
that none of them are guarded by any force that could 
resist us.” 

But how did you manage to pass through their gal- 
leys ?” 


TEE LION OF ST. MARK. 


343 


landed on tins side of Pelestrina and had the gondola 
carried across and launched in the channel inside their 
cordon ; and it was not until we entered the last passage 
— that by Brondolo — that we were noticed. Then there 
was a sharp chase for a bit, but we outstripped them and 
got safely across to Pelestrina. One of the galleys, in the 
excitement of the chase, ran fast into the mud ; and 
Matteo, with some of his men, waded out and captured 
the officer and crew. So there is every prospect of our 
succeeding to-morrow.” 

^^All that is good,” Polani said; ^^but to me just at 
present I own that the principal thing is that you have got 
safely back. Now I will not keep you from your bed, for 
I suppose that you will not be able to lie late in the 
morning.” 

Francis certainly did not intend to do so, but the sun 
was high before he woke. He hurriedly dressed and went 
downstairs. 

I have seen the admiral,” Polani said as he entered, 

and told him that you were sound asleep, and I did not 
intend to wake you, for that you were looking worn and 
knocked up. He said : ‘ Quite right ! The lad is so will- 
ing and active that I forget sometimes that he is not an 
old sea-dog like myself, accustomed to sleep with one eye 
open, and to go without sleep altogether for days if neces- 
sary.^ So you need not hurry over your breakfast. The 
girls are dying to hear your adventures.” 

As he took his breakfast Francis gave the girls an 
account of his expedition. 

And so you saw Eufino ! ” Maria said. Did he in- 
quire after me ? You told him, I hope, that I was fading 
away rapidly from grief at his absence.” 

I did not venture upon so flagrant an untruth as that,” 
Francis replied. 

Is he very uncomfortable ? ” 

Not very, signora. He has a good tent, some excellent 


844 


THE LION OF ST. MARE. 


wine, an allowance of bread which might be larger, and 
occasionally fish. As he has also the gift of excellent 
spirits, I do not think he is greatly to be pitied — except, 
of course, for his absence from you.^^ 

That, of course, Maria said. When he does come 
here he always tells me a moving tale of his privations, in 
hopes of exciting pity ; but unfortunately I cannot help 
laughing at his tales of hardship. But we were really 
anxious about you last night, Francisco, and very thank- 
ful when we heard you had returned; werenT we, 
Giulia 

Giulia nodded. 

Giulia hasnT much to say when you are here, Fran- 
cisco, but she can chatter about you fast enough when we 
are alone. 

** How can you say so, Maria ? ” Giulia said reproach- 

fully. 

** Well, my dear, there is no harm in that. For aught 
he knows you may be saying the most unkind things about 
him all the time.^^ 

** I am sure he knows that I should not do that,^^ Giulia 
said indignantly. 

^'By the way, do you know, Francisco, that all Venice 
is in a state of excitement ! A proclamation has been 
issued by the doge this morning that all should be in 
their galleys and at their posts at noon, under pain of 
death. So every one knows that something is about to be 
done at last.^^ 

'^Then it is time for me to be Francis said, rising 
hastily, for it is ten o^clock already. 

^^Take your time, my lad,^^ the merchant said. 

There is no hurry, for Pisani told me privately that they 
should not sail Until after dark.^^ 

It was not indeed until nearly eight o^clock in the even- 
ing that the expedition started. At the hour of vespers 
the doge, Pisani, and the other leaders of the expedition. 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 345 

attended mass in the church of St. Mark, and then pro- 
ceeded to their galleys, where all was now in readiness. 

Pisani led the first division, which consisted of fourteen 
galleys ; the doge, assisted by Cavalli, commanded in the 
center ; and Corbaro brought up the rear with ten large 
ships. The night was beautifully bright and calm, a light 
and favorable breeze was blowing, and all Venice assembled 
to see the departure of the fleet. Just after it passed 
through the passage of the Lido a thick mist came on. 
Pisani stamped up and down the deck impatiently. 

If this goes on it will ruin us,” he said. Instead of 
arriving in proper order at the mouth of the passages, 
and occupying them before the Genoese wake up to a 
sense of their danger, we shall get there one by one, they 
will take the alarm, and we shall have their whole fleet to 
deal with. It will be simply ruin to our scheme.” 

Fortunately, however, the fog speedily lifted, the ves- 
sels closed up together, and in two hours after starting ar- 
rived off the entrances to the channels. Pisani anchored 
until daylight appeared, and nearly five thousand men 
were then landed on the Brondolo’s shore, easily driving 
back the small detachment placed there. 

But the alarm was soon given, and the Genoese poured 
out in such overwhelming force that the Venetians were 
driven in disorder to their boats, leaving behind them six 
hundred killed, drowned, or prisoners. But Pisani had 
not supposed that he would be able to hold his position 
in front of the whole Genoese force, and he had succeeded 
in his main object. While the fighting had been going on 
on shore a party of sailors had managed to moor a great 
ship laden with stones across the channel. As soon as 
the Genoese had driven the Venetians to their boats they 
took possession of this vessel, and finding that she was 
aground they set her on fire, thus unconsciously aiding 
Pisani’s object, for when she had burned to the water's 
edge she sank. 


346 


TEE LION OF ST. MARK. 


Barberigo with his light galleys now arrived upon the 
spot, and emptied their loads of stone into the passage 
around the wreck. The Genoese kept up a heavy fire with 
their artillery, many of the galleys were sunk, and num- 
bers of the Venetians drowned or killed by the shot. 
Nevertheless they worked on unfiinchingly. As soon as 
the pile of stones had risen sufficiently for the men to 
stand upon them waist deep they took their places upon it 
and packed in order the stones that their comrades handed 
them, and fixed heavy chains binding the whole together. 

The work was terribly severe. The cold was bitter. 
The men were badly fed, and most of them altogether un- 
accustomed to hardships. In addition to the fire from the 
enemy^s guns they were exposed to a rain of arrows, and 
at the end of two days and nights they were utterly worn 
out and exhausted, and protested that they could do no 
more. 

Pisani, who had himself labored among them in the 
thickest of the danger, strove to keep up their spirits by 
pointing out the importance of their work, and requested 
the doge to swear on his sword that, old as he was, he 
would never return to Venice unless Chioggia was con- 
quered. The doge took the oath, and for the moment the 
murmuring ceased ; and on the night of the 24th the chan- 
nel of Chioggia was entirely choked from shore to shore. 
On that day Corbaro succeeded in sinl^ing two hulks in 
the passage of Brondolo. 

Doria, who had hitherto believed that the Venetians 
would attempt nothing serious, now perceived for the first 
time the object of Pisani, and dispatched fourteen great 
galleys to crush Corbaro, who had with him but four ves- 
sels. Pisani at once sailed to his assistance with ten more 
ships, and the passage was now so narrow that the Geno- 
ese did not venture to attack, and Corbaro completed the 
operation of blocking up the Brondolo passage. The next 
day the Canal of Lombardy was similarly blocked ; and 


THE LION OF ST. MAEK. 


347 


thus, on the fourth day after leaving Venice, Pisani had 
accomplished his object, and had shut out the Genoese 
galleys from the sea. 

But the work had been terrible and the losses great. 
The soldiers were on half rations. The cold was piercing. 
They were engaged night and day with the enemy, and 
were continually wet through, and the labor was tre- 
mendous. A fort had already been begun on the southern 
shore of the port of Brondolo facing the convent, which 
Doria had transformed into a citadel. The new work was 
christened the Lova, and the heaviest guns in the Vene- 
tian arsenal were planted there. One of these, named the 
Trevisan, discharged stones of a hundred and ninety-five 
pounds in weight, and the Victory was little smaller. But 
the science of artillery was then in its youth, and these 
guns could only be discharged once in twenty-four hours. 

But on the 29th the Venetians could do no more, and 
officers, soldiers, and sailors united in the demand that 
they should return to Venice. Even Pisani felt that the 
enterprise was beyond him, and that his men, exhausted 
by cold, hunger, and their incessant exertions, could no 
longer resist the overwhelming odds brought against him. 
Still he maintained a brave front, and once again his 
cheery words and unfeigned good temper, and the example 
set them by the aged doge, had their effect ; but the 
soldiers required a pledge that if Zeno should not be sig- 
naled in sight by New Yearns Day he would raise the siege. 
If Pisani and the doge would pledge themselves to this, 
the people agreed to maintain the struggle for the inter- 
vening forty-eight hours. 

The pledge was given, and the fight continued. Thus 
the fate of Venice hung in the balance. If Zeno arrived 
not only would she be saved, but she had it in her power 
to inflict upon Genoa a terrible blow. Should Zeno still 
tarry, not only would the siege be raised and the Geno- 
ese be at liberty to remove the dams which the Venetians 


348 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


had placed at such a cost of suffering and blood, but 
there would be nothing left for Venice but to accept the 
terms, however onerous, her triumphant foes might dic- 
tate — terms which would certainly strip her of all her 
possessions, and probably involve even her independence. 

Never from her first foundation had Venice been in such 
terrible risk ; her very existence trembled in the balance. 
The 30th passed as the days preceding it. There was but 
little fighting, for the Genoese knew how terrible were the 
straits to which Venice was reduced, and learned from the 
prisoners they had taken that in a few days at the outside 
the army besieging them would cease to exist. At day- 
break on the 31st men ascended the masts of the ships 
and gazed over the sea in hopes of making out the long- 
expected sails. But the sea was bare. It was terrible to 
see the faces of the Venetians, gaunt with famine, broken 
down by cold and fatigue. Even the most enduring began 
to despair. Men spoke no more of Zeno. He had been 
away for months ; was it likely that he would come just at 
this moment ? They talked rather of their homes ; the 
next day they would return. If they must die, they 
would die with those they loved in Venice. They should 
not mind that. And so the day went on, and as they lay 
down at night hungry and cold they thanked God that it 
was their last day. Whatever might come would be better 
than this. 

Men were at the mastheads again before daylight on the 
1st of January. Then, as the first streak of dawn broke, 
the cry went from masthead to masthead : 

There are ships out at sea ! 

The cry was heard on shore. Pisani jumped into a 
boat with Francis, rowed out to his ship, and climbed the 
mast. 

^^Yes, there are ships he said. And then after a 
pause : Fifteen of them ! Who are they ? God grant it 
be Zeno ! 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


349 


This was the question every one on ship and on shore 
was asking himself, for it was known that the Genoese too 
were expecting reinforcements. 

The wind is scarce strong enough to move them 
through the water,” Pisani said ; let some light boats go 
off to reconnoiter. Let us know the best or the worst. If 
it be Zeno, Venice is saved ! If it be the Genoese, I and 
those who agree with me that it is better to die fighting 
than to perish of hunger, will go out and attack them. ” 

In a few minutes several fast galleys started for the fieet, 
which was so far away that the vessels could scarcely be 
made out, still less their rig and nationality. It would be 
some time before the boats would return with the news, 
and Pisani went ashore, and with the doge moved among 
the men, exhorting them to be steadfast, above all things 
not to give way to panic should the newcomers prove to be 
enemies. 

If all is done in order,” he said, they cannot inter- 
fere with our retreat to Venice. They do not know how 
weak we are, and will not venture to attack so large a fleet. 
Therefore when the signal is made that they are Genoese 
we will fall back in good order to our boats and take to 
our ships, and then either return to Venice or sail out and 
give battle, as it may be decided.” 

The boats before starting had been told to hoist white 
flags should the galleys be Venetian, but to show no signal 
if they were Genoese. The boats were watched from the 
mastheads until they became specks in the distance. An 
hour afterward the lookout signaled to those on shore that 
they were returning. 

Go off again, Francisco, I must remain here to keep up 
the men^s hearts if the news be bad. Take your stand on 
the poop of my ship, and the moment the lookouts can say 
with certainty whether the boats carry a white flag or not, 
hoist the Lion of St. Mark to the masthead if it be Zeno ; 
if not, run up a blue flag ! ” 


350 


TEE LION OF ST, MARK, 


CHAPTER XX. 

THE TEIUMPH OF VENICE. 

Francis rowed off to the ship, got the flags in readiness 
for hoisting, and stood with the lines in his hand. 

Can you make them out yet ?” he hailed the men at 
the mastheads. 

^^They are mere specks yet, signor, the man at the 
foremast said ; the other did not reply at once, but pres- 
ently he shouted down : Far as they are away, signor, I 
an almost sure that one or two of them at least have some- 
thing white flying.” 

There was a murmur of joy from the men on the deck, 
for Jacobo Zippo was famous for his keenness of sight. 

Silence, men ! ” Francis said. Do not let a man 
shout or wave his cap till we are absolutely certain. 
Remember the agony with which those on shore are watch- 
ing us, and the awful disappointment it would be were 
their hopes raised only to be crushed afterward.” 

Another ten minutes and Jacopo slid rapidly down by 
the stays and stood on the deck with hared head. 

God be praised, signor ! I have no longer a doubt. I 
can tell you for certain that white flags are flying from 
these boats.” 

^'God he praised!” Francis replied. ^^Xow up with 
the Lion ! ” 

The flag was bent to the halyards and Francis hoisted it. 
As it rose above the bulwark Pisani, who was standing on 
a hillock of sand, shouted out at the top of his voice ; 

^^It is Zeno^s fleet 


THE LION OF ST. 2^IARK. 


351 


A shout of joy broke from the troops. Cheer after cheer 
rent the air from ship and shore, and then the wildest ex- 
citement reigned. Some fell on their knees to thank God 
for the rescue thus sent when all seemed lost ; others stood 
with clasped hands and streaming eyes looking toward 
heaven. Some danced and shouted ; some wept with joy ; 
men fell on each other^s necks and embraced ; some threw 
up their caps. All were wild with joy and pent-up excite- 
ment. Zeno, who, in ignorance of the terrible straits to 
which his countrymen were reduced, was making with his 
fleet direct to Venice, was intercepted by one of the gal- 
leys, and at once bore up for Brondolo, and presently 
dropped anchor near the shore. As he did so a boat was 
lowered and he rowed to the strand, where the Venetians 
crowded down to greet him. 

With difficulty he made his way through the shouting 
multitude to the spot a little distance away where the doge 
was awaiting him. Zeno was of medium height, square 
shouldered and broad chested, his head was manly and 
handsome, his nose aquiline, his eyes large, dark, and pierc- 
ingly bright, and shaded by strongly-marged eyebrows. 
His air was grave and thoughtful, and in strong contrast 
to that of the merry and buoyant Pisani ; his temper was 
more equable, hut his character was as impulsive as that of 
the admiral. He was now forty-five years of age — ten 
years the junior of Pisani. 

Zeno was intended for the church, and was presented by 
the pope with the reversion of a rich prehendal stall at 
Patras. On his way to Padua to complete his studies at 
the university he was attacked by robbers, who left him 
for dead. He recovered, however, and went to Padua. 
He became an accomplished scholar ; hut was so fond of 
gambling that he lost every penny, and was obliged to 
escape from his creditors by flight. For five years he 
wandered over Italy, taking part in all sorts of adventures, 
and then suddenly returned to Venice, and was persuaded 


352 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


by Ms friends to proceed to Patras, where his stall was now 
vacant. 

When he arrived there he found the city besieged by the 
Turks. In spite of his clerical dignity he placed himself 
in the front rank of its defenders and distinguished him- 
self by extreme bravery. He was desperately wounded, 
and was again believed to be dead ; he was even placed in 
his coffin, but just as it was being nailed down he showed 
signs of returning life. He did not stay long at Patras, 
but travelled in Germany, France, and England. Soon 
after he returned to Patras he fought a duel, and thereby 
forfeited his stall. He now renounced the clerical profes- 
sion and married a wealthy heiress ; she died shortly after- 
ward, and he married the daughter of the Admiral Marco 
Giustiniani. 

He now entered upon political life, and soon showed 
brilliant talents. He was then appointed to the military 
command of the district of Treviso, which the Paduans 
were then invading. Here he very greatly distinguished 
himself, and in numberless engagements was always suc- 
cessful, so that he became known as Zeno the unconquered. 

When Pisani was appointed captain-general in April, 1378, 
he was appointed governor of Negropont, and soon after- 
ward received a separate naval command. He had been 
lost sight of for many months prior to his appearance so 
opportunely before Brondolo, and he now confirmed to the 
doge the news that had been received shortly before. He 
had captured nearly seventy Genoese vessels of various 
sizes, had cruised for some time in sight of Genoa, struck 
a heavy blow at her commerce, and prevented the dispatch 
of the reinforcements promised to Doria. Among the ves- 
sels taken was one which was carrying three hundred 
thousand ducats from Genoa. He reported himself ready 
with his men to take up the brunt of the siege forthwith, 
and selecting Brondolo as the most dangerous position at 
once landed his crews. The stores on board ship were also 


THE LION OF ST, MARE. 353 

brought ashore, and proved ample for the present necessities 
of the army. 

In a few days he sailed with his galleys and recaptured 
Loredo, driving out the Paduan garrison there. This con- 
quest was all-important to Venice, for it opened their com- 
munication with Ferrara, and vast stores of provisions were 
at once sent by their ally to Venice, and the pressure of 
starvation immediately ceased. The siege of Brondolo was 
now pushed on, and on the 22d of January the great bom- 
bard, the Victory, so battered the wall opposite to it that 
it fell suddenly, crushing beneath its ruins the Genoese 
commander Doria. 

The change which three weeks had made in the appear- 
ance of the Venetian forces was marvelous ; ample food, 
fire, and shelter had restored their wasted frames, and as- 
surance of victory had taken the place of the courage of 
despair. A month of toil, hardship, and fighting had con- 
verted a mob of recruits into disciplined soldiers, and Zeno 
and Pisani seemed to have filled all with their own energy 
and courage ; Zeno, indeed, was so rash and fearless that 
he had innumerable escapes from death. 

One evening after dusk his own vessel, having been ac- 
cidentally torn from its anchorage near the Lova Fort by 
the force of the wind and currents, was driven across the 
passage against the enemy^s forts, whence showers of mis- 
siles were poured into it. One arrow pierced his throat. 
Dragging it out he continued to issue his orders forget- 
ting the galley off the shore — bade a seaman swim with a 
line to the moorings, and angrily rebuked those who, be- 
lieving destruction to be inevitable, entreated him to strike 
his flag. The sailor reached the moorings, and with aline 
he had made fast a strong rope to it, and the vessel was 
then hauled off into a place of safety. As Zeno hurried 
along the deck superintending the operation he tumbled 
down an open hatchway, and fell on his back almost un- 
conscious. 

23 


354 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


In a few moments he would have been suffocated by the 
olood from the wound in his throat, but with a final effort 
he managed to roll over on to his face ; the wound was thus 
permitted to bleed freely, and he soon recovered. On the 
28th of February he was appointed general-in-chief of the 
land forces, and the next day drove the Genoese from all 
their positions on the islands of Brondolo and Little Chiog- 
gia, and on the following morning established his head- 
quarters under the ramparts of Chioggia and directed a 
destructive fire upon the citadel. As the Genoese fell 
back across the bridge over the Canal of Santa Caterina 
the structure gave way under their weight, and great num- 
bers were drowned. 

The retreat of the Genoese was indeed so hurried and 
confused that they left behind them an immense quantity 
of arms, accouterments, and war material — so much so 
that suits of mail were selling for a few shillings in the 
Venetian camp. 

So completely were the Genoese disheartened by the change 
in their position that many thought that the Venetians 
could at once have taken Chioggia by assault ; but the 
leaders were determined to risk no failure, and knew that the 
enemy must yield to hunger. They therefore contented 
themselves with a rigorous blockade, cutting off all the 
supplies which the Lord of Padua endeavored to throw in- 
to the city. The Venetians, however, allowed the besieged 
to send away their women and children, who were taken 
to Venice and kindly treated there. The army of Venice 
had now been vastly increased by the arrival of the Star 
Company of Milan and the Condottieri commanded by Sir 
John Hawkwood. The dikes erected across the channels 
with so much labor were removed, and the fleet took their 
part in the siege. 

On the 14th of May there was joy in Chioggia similar to 
that which the Venetians had felt at the sight of Zeno’s 
fleet, for on that morning the squadron which Genoa had 


THE LION OF ST. MABK. 


355 


sent to their assistance under the command of Matteo 
Maruffo appeared in sight. This admiral had wasted 
much valuable time on the way, but had fallen in with 
and captured after a most gallant resistance, five Vene- 
tian galleys under Giustiniani, who had been dispatched 
to Apulia to fetch grain. 

The Genoese fieet drew up in order of battle and chal- 
lenged Pisani to come out to engage them. But im- 
petuous as was the disposition of the admiral, and greatly 
as he longed to avenge his defeat at Pola, he refused to 
stir. He knew that Chioggia must ere long fall, and he 
would not risk all the advantages gained by so many months 
of toil and effort upon the hazard of a battle. Day after 
day Maruffo repeated his challenge, accompained by such 
insolent taunts that the blood of the Venetian sailors was 
so stirred that Pisani could no longer restrain them. 

After obtaining leave from the doge to go out and give 
battle he sailed into the roadstead on the 25th. The two 
fleets drew up in line of battle, facing each other. Just 
as the combat was about to Commence a strange panic seized 
the Genoese, and, without exchanging a blow or firing a shot, 
they fled hastily. Pisani pursued them for some miles and 
then returned to his old station. The grief and despair 
of the garrison of Chioggia at the sight of the retreat of 
their fleet was in proportion to the joy with which they 
had hailed its approach. Their supply of fresh water was 
^ill but exhausted ; their rations had become so scanty that 
from sheer weakness they were unable, after the first week 
in June, to work their guns. 

Genoa, in despair at the position of her troops, labored 
unceasingly to relieve them. Emissaries were sent to tam- 
per with the free companies and succeeded so far that 
these would have marched away had they not been ap- 
peased by the promise of a three days’ sack of Chioggia, 
and a mont h’s extra pay at the end of war. Attempts were 
made to assassinate Zeno, but these also failed. The 


356 


TEE LION OF ST. MARK. 


Genoese then induced the pope to intercede on their be- 
half ; but the council remembered that when Venice was 
at the edge of destruction on the 31st of December no 
power had come forward to save her, and refused now to 
be robbed of the well-earned triumph. 

On the 15th of July, Maruffo, who had received rein- 
forcements, again made his appearance ; but Pisani this 
time refused to be tempted out. On the 21st a deputation 
was sent out from Chioggia to ask for terms, and though on 
being told that an unconditional surrender alone would 
be accepted, they returned to the city, yet the following 
day the Genoese flag was hauled down from the battlements. 

On the 24th the doge, accompanied by Pisani and Zeno, 
made his formal entry into Chioggia. The booty was enor- 
mous ; and the companies received the promised bounty, 
and were allowed to pillage for three days. So large was 
the plunder collected in this time by the adventurers that 
the share of one of them amounted to five hundred ducats. 
The republic, however, did not come off altogether with- 
out spoil — they obtained nineteen seaworthy galleys, four 
thousand four hundred and forty prisoners, and a vast 
amount of valuable stores, the salt alone being computed 
as worth ninety thousand crowns. 

Not even when the triumphant fleet returned after the 
conquest of Constantinople was Venice so wild with delight 
as when the doge, accompanied by Pisani and Zeno, en- 
tered the city in triumph after the capture of Chioggia. 
Prom the danger, more imminent than any that had threat- 
ened Venice from her first foundation, they had emerged 
with a success which would cripple the strength and lower 
the pride of Genoa for years. Each citizen felt that he 
had some share in the triumph, for each had taken his 
share in the sufferings, the sacrifices, and the efforts of 
the struggle. There had been no unmanly giving way to 
despair, no pitiful entreaty for aid in their peril. Venice 
had relied upon herself, and had come out triumphant. 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


357 


Prom every house hung flags and banners, every balcony 
was hung with tapestry and drapery. The Grand Canal 
was closely packed with gondolas, which for once disre- 
garded the sumptuary law that enforced black as their 
only hue, and shone in a mass of color ; gayly dressed 
ladies sat beneath canopies of silk and velvet ; flags floated 
from every boat, and the rowers were dressed in the bright 
liveries of their employers ; the church hells rang out with 
a deafening clang, and from roof and balcony, from wharf 
and river, rang out a mighty shout of welcome and tri- 
umph from the crowded mass, as the great state gondola, 
hearing the doge and the two commanders, made its way 
slowly and with difficulty along the center of the canal. 

Francis was on board one of the gondolas that followed 
in the wake of that of the doge, and as soon as the grand 
service in St. Mark’s was over he slipped off and made his 
way hack to the Polazzo Polani. The merchant and Giulia 
had both been present at the ceremony, and had just re- 
turned when he arrived. 

** I guessed you would he off at once, Francisco, directly 
the ceremony was over. I own that I myself would have 
stayed for a time to see the grand doings in the Piazza, 
but this child would not hear of our doing so ; she said it 
would he a shame indeed if you should arrive home and 
find no one to greet you.” 

'"So it would have been,” Giulia said. "I am sure I 
should not have liked when I have been away, even on a 
visit -i pleasure to Corfu, to return and find the house 
empty ; and after the terrible dangers and hardships you 
have gone through, Francisco, it would have been unkind 
indeed had we not been here. You still look thin and 
worn.” 

" I think that is fancy on your part, Giulia ; to my eyes 
he look's as stout as ever I saw him. But certainly he 
looked as lean and famished as a wolf when I paid that 
visit to the camp the day before Zeno’s arrival ; his clothes 


S58 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


hung loose about him, his cheeks were hollow, and his eyes 
sunken ; he would have been a sight for men to stare at 
had not every one else been in an equally bad case. Well, 
I thank God there is an end of it now ! Genoa will be 
glad to make peace on any terms, and the sea will once 
more be open to our ships. So now, Francisco, you have 
done with fighting, and will be able to turn your attention 
to the humbler occupation of a merchant.” 

That will I right gladly,” Francis said. I used to 
think once I should like to be a man-at-arms ; but I have 
seen enough of it, and hope never will draw my sword 
again, unless it be in conflict with some Moorish rover. I 
have had many letters from my father, chiding me for 
mingling in frays in which I have no concern, and shall be 
able to gladden his heart by writing to assure him that I 
have done with fighting.” 

It has done you no harm, Francisco, or rather it has 
done you much good. It has given you the citizenship oi 
Venice, in itself ho slight advantage to you as a trader 
here ; it has given you three hundred ducats a year, which, 
as a mark of honor, is not to be despised ; it has won for 
you a name throughout the republic, and has given you a 
fame and popularity such as few, if any, citizens of Venice 
ever attained at your age. Lastly, it has made a man of 
you ; it has given you confidence and self-possession ; you 
have acquired the habit of commanding men ; you have 
been placed in positions which have called for the exercise 
of rare judgment, prudence, and courage ; and you have 
come well through it all. It is but four years since your 
father left you a lad in my keeping ; now you are a man, 
whom the highest noble in Venice might be proud 
of calling his son. You have no reason to regret, there- 
fore, that you have for a year taken up soldiering in- 
stead of trading, especially as our business was all stopped 
by the war, and you must have passed your time in 
inactivity.” 








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THE LION OF ST. MASK. 359 

In the evening when the merchant and Francis were 
alone together the former said : 

I told you last autumn, Francis, when I informed you 
that henceforth you would enter into my house as a part- 
ner in the business when we again recommenced trade, 
that I had something else in my mind, but the time to 
speak of it had not then arrived. I think it has now 
come. Tell me, my hoy, frankly, if there is anything that 
you would wish to ask of me.^' 

Francis was silent for a moment, then he said : 

^^You have done so much. Signor Polani ; you have 
heaped kindness upon me altogether beyond anything I 
could have hoped for, that even did I wish for more I 
could not ask it.^' 

Then there is something more you would like, Fran- 
cisco. Remember that I have told you that I regard yon 
as a son, and therefore I wish you to speak to me as 
frankly as if I were really your father.^’ 

I fear, signor, that you will think me audacious, but 
since you thus urge upon me to speak all that is in my 
mind I cannot but tell you the truth. I love your daugh- 
ter, Giulia, and have done so ever since the first day that 
my eyes fell on her. It has seemed to me too much even 
to hope that she can ever be mine, and I have been careful 
in letting no word expressive of my feelings pass my lips. 
It still seems to me beyond the bounds of possibility that I 
could successfully aspire to the hand of the daughter of 
one of the noblest families in Venice." 

1 am glad you have spoken frankly, dear lad," the 
merchant said. ‘^Ever since you rescued my daughters 
from the hands of Mocenigo it has been on my mind that 
some day perhaps you would be my son-in-law as well as 
my son by adoption. I have watched with approval that 
as Giulia grew from a child into a young woman her liking 
for you seemed to ripen into affection. This afternoon I 
have spoken to her, and she has acknowledged that she 


360 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


would obey my commands to regard you as her future 
husband with gladness. 

could not, however, offer my daughter’s hand to one 
who might reject it, or who, if he accepted it, would only 
do so because he considered the match to be a desirable one 
from a business point of view. Now that you have told 
me that you love her, all difficulties are at an end. I am 
not one of those fathers who would force a marriage upon 
their daughters regardless of their feelings. I gave to 
Maria free choice among her various suitors, and so I 
would give it to Giulia. Her choice is in accordance with 
my own secret hopes, and I therefore freely and gladly 
bestow her upon you. You must promise only that you 
do not carry her away altogether to England so long as I 
live. You can, if you like, pay long visits with her from 
time to time to your native country, but make Venice your 
headquarters. 

I need say nothing to you about her dowry. I intend- 
ed that as my partner you should take a fourth share of 
the profits of the business, but as Giulia’s husband I shall 
now propose that you have a third ; this will give you an 
income equal to that of all but the wealthiest of the nobles 
of Venice. At my death my fortune will be divided be- 
tween my girls.” 

Francis expressed in a few words his joy and gratitude 
at the merchant’s offer. Giulia had inspired him four 
years before with a boyish love, and it had steadily in- 
creased until he felt that, however great his success in 
life as Messer Polani’s partner, his happiness would be in- 
complete unless shared by Giulia. 

Polani cut short his words by saying : 

My dear boy, I am as pleased that this should be so as 
you are ; I now feel as if I had indeed gained a son and 
secured the happiness of my daughter. Go in to her now ; 
you will find her in the embroidery room. I told her that 
I should speak to you this evening, and she is doubtless in 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


361 


a tremble as to the result, for she told me frankly that al- 
though she loved you she feared you only regarded her 
with the affection of a brother, and she implored me above 
all not to give you a hint of her feelings toward you until 
I was convinced that you really loved her/^ 

Two months later the marriage of Francis Hammond 
and Giulia Polani took place. There were great festivi- 
ties, and the merchant spent a considerable sum in giving 
a feast on the occasion to all the poor of Venice. 

Maria told Francis in confidence that she had always 
made up her mind that he would marry Giulia. 

^^The child was silly enough to fall in love with you 
from the first, Francisco, and I was sure that you in your 
dull EngMsh fashion cared for her. My father confided 
to me long since that he hoped it would come about. 

Francis Hammond lived for may years with his wife in 
Venice, paying occasional visits to England. He was 
joined soon after his marriage by his brother, who, after 
serving for some years in the business, entered it as a part- 
ner, when Messer Polani^s increasing years rendered it 
necessary for him to retire from an active participation in 
it. 

Some months after his marriage Francis was saddened 
by the death of Admiral Pisani, who never recovered from 
the fatigue and hardships he suffered during the siege of 
Chioggia. He had, with the fleet, recovered most of the 
places that the Genoese had captured, and after chasing 
a Genoese fleet to Zara had a partial engagement with them 
there. In this, Corbaro, now holding the commission of 
admiral of the squadron, was killed, and Pisani himself 
wounded. He was already suffering from fever, and the 
loss of Corbaro and the check that the fleet had suffered 
increased his malady, and he expired three days later. 

Venice made peace with Genoa, but the grudge which 
she bore to Padua was not wiped out until some years 
later, when, in 1404, that city was besieged by the Vene- 


362 


THE LION OF ST. MARK. 


tians and forced by famine to surrender in the autumn of 
the following year ; after which Zeno, having been proved 
to have kept up secret communications with the Lord of 
Padua, was deprived of his honors and sentenced to a year’s 
imprisonment. Thus in turn the two great Venetian com- 
manders suffered disgrace and imprisonment. As she had 
been patient and steadfast in her time of distress Venice 
was clement in her hour of triumph, and granted far more 
favorable terms to Padua than that city deserved. 

At the death of Messer Polani Francis returned with his 
wife and family to England and established himself in 
London, where he at once took rank as one of the leading 
merchants. His fortune, however, was so large that he 
had no occasion to continue in commerce, and he did sc 
only to afford him a certain amount of occupation. Hi? 
brother carried on the business in Venice and became one 
of the leading citizens there, in partnership with Matteo 
Giustiniani. Every two or three years Francis made a 
voyage with his wife to Venice and spent some months 
there, and to the end of his life never broke off his clos9 
connection with the City of the Waters. 


THB END. 








LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 





